Advance Separately, Strike Together

"Advance Separately, Strike Together" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 23 moves; the key first move is H2+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, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, a Chariot, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red H2+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black P5+1 (check)
1. Black P5+1
2. Red K6-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black R5=7 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black R5=7
3. Red R6=4 (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.
3. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K6=5
4. Red R4=5 (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.
4. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K5=6
5. Red R5-5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R7+3 (check)
5. Black R7+3
6. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R7-7
6. Black R7-7
7. Red H1+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R7-2 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black R7-2
8. Red R5=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K6=5
9. Red R2+6 (check)
9. Black K5-1
9. Black K5-1
10. Red H2-3 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
10. Black K5-1
10. Black K5-1
11. Red H3-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black K5+1
11. Black K5+1
12. Red H5+7 (check)
12. Black K5=6
12. Black K5=6
13. Red R2-1 (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.
13. Black K6-1
13. Black K6-1
14. Red K6=5 (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 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black R7+8 (check)
14. Black R7+8
15. Red K5+1 (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 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black R7=6
15. Black R7=6
16. Red H7+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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black R6-1 (check, the only legal reply)
16. Black R6-1
17. Red K5-1 (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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black R6+1 (check)
17. Black R6+1
18. Red K5-1 (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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black R6+1 (check, the only legal reply)
18. Black R6+1
19. Red K5+1 (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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black R6-1 (check)
19. Black R6-1
20. Red K5-1 (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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Black R6+1 (check, the only legal reply)
20. Black R6+1
21. Red K5+1 (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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
21. Black R6=5 (check)
21. Black R6=5
22. Red K5-1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
22. Black P2+1
22. Black P2+1
23. Red R2=4 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
23. Red R2=4

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 8 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 11: R7+8+ 12. K6-1 P2=3 13. R2=5+ K5=6 14. H5+3+ K6+1 15. K6=5 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 12: K5+1 13. H5+7+ K5=6 14. H7+6+ K6=5 15. R2=5# Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 10: K5=6 11. H3-5+ K6=5 12. H5+3+ K5=6 13. H3-5+ K6-1 14. H5+6+ K6=5 15. H6-4+ Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 8: P2=3 9. R2+6+ K6-1 10. K6=5 P3=4 11. R2-1 Try it on the board
Variation 5, from move 7: R7=8 8. R5+8 Try it on the board
Variation 6, from move 6: P2=3 7. R5+5 Try it on the board
Variation 7, from move 2: K6-1 3. R6+2+ K6-1 4. H1+2 R5-4 5. R6+1+ R5-2 6. H2-3+ Try it on the board
Variation 8, from move 2: R5=3 3. R6+1+ K6-1 4. H1-3+ K6=5 5. R6=5# Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 23 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Advance Separately, Strike Together"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H2+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.

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