B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 25

"B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 25" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is R5+1. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Advisor, 2 Chariots, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot, 2 Horses, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R5+1 (check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K4+1
2. Red R5=6 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black H2+4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
2. Black H2+4
3. Red H4+5 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black A4+5 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black A4+5
4. Red R2+2 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black R6-1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black R6-1
5. Red R2=4 (captures the Chariot, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Red R2=4

Variations and alternative defences

What if Black defends differently? The alternatives below were checked with the rules engine; lines marked with a mating move lose at once, the others are worth trying on the analysis board.

3. Black A4+5
- If Black plays C7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black R6-1
- If Black plays C7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 5 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 25"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Chariot & Horse mates.

How many moves does the solution take?

5 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.

What is the key move?

The first move R5+1 starts the combination. Everything that follows depends on it.

Can I play this position myself?

Yes. Open it on ChessZing, where the board checks your moves and shows the solution if you get stuck.

← Previous puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 26 Next puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 24 →

Nearby puzzles

B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 28
5 moves
B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 27
5 moves
B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 26
5 moves
B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 24
6 moves
B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 23
5 moves
B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 22
13 moves