Chariot Hidden Behind the Horse

"Chariot Hidden Behind the Horse" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 10 moves; the key first move is R7+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, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Horse, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R7+7 (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.
1. Black E3+5
1. Black E3+5
2. Red H2+3 (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.
2. Black K6-1
2. Black K6-1
3. Red R7=5 (captures the Elephant, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black A6+5
3. Black A6+5
4. Red R5=1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black K6-1
4. Black K6-1
5. Red R1+2 (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 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K6+1
5. Black K6+1
6. Red H3-2 (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.
6. Black K6+1
6. Black K6+1
7. Red R1-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black H6+8 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black H6+8
8. Red H2-1 (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.
8. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K6-1
9. Red H1+3 (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.
9. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
9. Black K6-1
10. Red R1+2 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
10. Red R1+2

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 1 variation. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 4: H6-8 5. H3-2+ K6+1 6. H2-3+ K6-1 7. H3+5+ K6-1 8. R1+2# Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 10 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot Hidden Behind the Horse"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R7+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: Winning Against Chariot and Two Elephants Next puzzle: 91. Chariot and Horse Tie Down the King →

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