Handled with Practiced Ease

"Handled with Practiced Ease" 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 R4+2. 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, a Chariot, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R4+2 (check)
1. Black K5=4
1. Black K5=4
2. Red R4-1 (check)
2. Black K4-1
2. Black K4-1
3. Red H4-6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black R5=3
3. Black R5=3
4. Red R4-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P7=6 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black P7=6
5. Red R4-4 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K4+1
5. Black K4+1
6. Red R4+6 (check)
6. Black K4-1
6. Black K4-1
7. Red R4-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P8=7 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black P8=7
8. Red H6+5 (check)
8. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K4=5
9. Red H5+3 (check)
9. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)
9. Black K5+1
10. Red R4+2 (check)
10. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black K5+1
11. Red R4=6 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
11. Red R4=6

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 9 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 8: K4+1 9. H5-7+ K4=5 10. R4=5# Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 7: R3=4 8. H6+7+ K4+1 9. H7+8+ K4=5 10. R4=5# Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 7: K4=5 8. R4=5+ K5=4 9. K4=5 Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 6: K4+1 7. R4-2 K4-1 8. K4=5 Try it on the board
Variation 5, from move 5: R3+1+ 6. K4+1 R3-5 7. H6+5+ K4+1 8. H5+4+ K4-1 9. R4=6+ K4=5 10. R6=5+ K5=4 11. K4=5 Try it on the board
Variation 6, from move 5: R3-4 6. H6+5+ K4+1 7. R4+6+ K4+1 8. H5+4 Try it on the board
Variation 7, from move 3: K4=5 4. R4+1+ K5+1 5. H6+7+ Try it on the board
Variation 8, from move 4: P8=7 5. R4=6+ K4=5 6. R6=5+ K5=4 7. K4=5 R3+1+ 8. K5+1 +P=6+ 9. K5=4 P7=6+ 10. K4=5 Try it on the board
Variation 9, from move 5: 5. H6+5+ K4+1 6. H5-7+ K4=5 7. R4=5# 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 "Handled with Practiced Ease"?

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 R4+2 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: Probing the Subtle Depths Next puzzle: The Usurping Horse Wins →

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