Light Chariot, Few Attendants

"Light Chariot, Few Attendants" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 19 moves; the key first move is R3=5. 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 R3=5 (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.
1. Black K5=4
1. Black K5=4
2. Red H9+8 (check)
2. Black K4+1
2. Black K4+1
3. Red R5=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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black R4+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
3. Black R4+1
4. Red K4+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.
4. Black P7+1 (check)
4. Black P7+1
5. Red K4=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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black P3=4 (check, the only legal reply)
5. Black P3=4
6. 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 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R4=5 (check, the only legal reply)
6. Black R4=5
7. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R5-1
7. Black R5-1
8. Red R3+3 (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 R5-6
8. Black R5-6
9. Red R3-6 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R5+6
9. Black R5+6
10. Red R3+6 (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 R5-6
10. Black R5-6
11. Red R3-1 (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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R5=9
11. Black R5=9
12. Red R3=9 (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.
12. Black R9+5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
12. Black R9+5
13. Red K4-1 (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.
13. Black K4=5
13. Black K4=5
14. Red R9+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.
14. Black K5-1
14. Black K5-1
15. Red H8-7 (check)
15. Black K5+1
15. Black K5+1
16. Red H7-5 (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.
16. Black K5-1
16. Black K5-1
17. Red H5+3 (check)
17. Black K5=4
17. Black K5=4
18. Red H3+4 (check)
18. Black K4=5
18. Black K4=5
19. Red R9=5 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
19. Red R9=5

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 7 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 11: R5+6 12. H8-9 K4-1 13. R3+2+ K4-1 14. H9+8 R5-6 15. R3+1+ R5-2 16. H8-7+ Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 14: K4=5 15. R3+1+ K5+1 16. H8-7+ Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 11: R5+3 12. R3=9 K4=5 13. R9+1+ K5-1 14. H8-7+ K5+1 15. H7-8+ K5-1 16. H8+6+ Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 14: K5=4 15. R9+2 Try it on the board
Variation 5, from move 9: P4=5 10. R3+4 R5=8 11. R3=6+ K4=5 12. R6=5+ K5=4 13. K4=5 Try it on the board
Variation 6, from move 7: P7=8 8. R3=9 K4=5 9. R9+3+ K5-1 10. H8-7+ K5+1 11. H7-6+ K5-1 12. R9+1+ K5-1 13. R9+1+ K5+1 14. H6+7+ Try it on the board
Variation 7, from move 7: K4=5 8. R3+3+ K5-1 9. H8-7+ K5=4 10. R3+2 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 19 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

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

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R3=5 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: Victory Firmly in Hand Next puzzle: Advance Separately, Strike Together →

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