96 Light Chariot, Few Attendants

"96 Light Chariot, Few Attendants" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 11 moves; the key first move is R8=7. 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, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot, 2 Horses, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black K4=5
1. Black K4=5
2. Red R7-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black A5-4
2. Black A5-4
3. Red R7=5 (check)
3. Black K5=4
3. Black K5=4
4. Red H8-7 (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.
4. Black K4-1
4. Black K4-1
5. Red H7+5 (check)
5. Black K4+1
5. Black K4+1
6. Red R5=7 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black K4=5
6. Black K4=5
7. Red H5+3 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
7. Black K5=6
7. Black K5=6
8. Red H3-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black K6-1
8. Black K6-1
9. Red H4+6 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black A4+5
9. Black A4+5
10. Red R7=4 (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.
10. Black A5+6
10. Black A5+6
11. Red R4+2 (captures the Advisor, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
11. Red R4+2

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 2 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 2: A5+4 3. H8-6 K5-1 4. R7+3+ K5+1 5. R7=4 A4-5 6. R4-3 K5=4 7. R4=6 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 1: H5-3 2. R7-1+ K4-1 3. R7-2+ K4+1 4. H8+7+ Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 11 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "96 Light Chariot, Few Attendants"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R8=7 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: No. 95: Forcing the King Up High Next puzzle: 97. Sword Aura Sweeping Everywhere →

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