B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 23
"B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 23" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 9 moves; the key first move is R4+1. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.
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Pieces on the board
Red has a General, 2 Chariots, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot, a Horse, a Soldier.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red R4+1Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Wins material: takes the Advisor.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for- Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black K5=61. Black K5=6 - 2. Red H2+3Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for2. Black K6=52. Black K6=5 - 3. Red R6=5Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
- Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for3. Black K5=43. Black K5=4 - 4. Red R5+1Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for4. Black K4+14. Black K4+1 - 5. Red H3+4Why it worksWhat to watch out for
- Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black H4-55. Black H4-5 - 6. Red R5-3Why it works
- Wins material: takes the Horse.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for6. Black K4-16. Black K4-1 - 7. Red R5+3Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for7. Black K4+17. Black K4+1 - 8. Red R5=7Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for8. Black K4+18. Black K4+1 - 9. Red R7-2Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for9. Red R7-2
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.
- 2. Black K6=5
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 5. Black H4-5
- If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 6. Black K4-1
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+1. Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 9 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 23"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Chariot & Horse mates.
How many moves does the solution take?
9 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.
What is the key move?
The first move R4+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.
Nearby puzzles
- B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 09
- B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 10
- B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 08
- B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 07
- B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 20
- B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 21
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