B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 20

"B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 20" 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 H6+4. 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 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H6+4 (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 K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K5=4
2. Red R2=4 (captures the Advisor, check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
2. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K4+1
3. Red R5=8 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black A5+6 (captures the Horse, threatens mate next move)
3. Black A5+6
4. Red R8+1 (captures the Chariot, check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K4+1
5. Red R4-2 (captures the Advisor, check, 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.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Black E3-5 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black E3-5
6. Red R8-1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black K4-1
7. Red R4+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.
7. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black K4-1
8. Red R8+2 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Black E5-3 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black E5-3
9. Red R8=7 (captures the Elephant, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
9. Red R8=7

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 K4+1
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+2. Try it on the board
3. Black A5+6
- If Black plays E3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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 20"?

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 H6+4 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 07 Next puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 21 →

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