Pincer Attack from Above and Below

"Pincer Attack from Above and Below" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 12 moves; the key first move is R4+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 R4+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black P9=8
1. Black P9=8
2. Red R4=6 (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.
2. Black K4=5
2. Black K4=5
3. Red H7-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
3. Black K5-1
3. Black K5-1
4. Red H5+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.
4. Black K5+1
4. Black K5+1
5. Red R6=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.
5. Black K5=4
5. Black K5=4
6. Red H3-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
6. Black P8=7
6. Black P8=7
7. Red H5-7 (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.
7. Black K4-1
7. Black K4-1
8. Red H7+8 (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.
8. Black K4+1
8. Black K4+1
9. Red R5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black K4=5
9. Black K4=5
10. Red R4-2 (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.
10. Black K5-1
10. Black K5-1
11. Red H8+7 (check)
11. Black K5=4
11. Black K5=4
12. Red R4=6 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
12. Red R4=6

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 6 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 3: R5=7 4. R6=5+ K5=4 5. R5=7 K4=5 6. R7-2+ K5-1 7. H5+3+ K5=4 8. H3+4+ K4=5 9. R7=5# Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 1: R5-7 2. R4-7 R5=8 3. H7+6 K4-1 4. H6-8 K4=5 5. R4=5+ K5=4 6. H8-7+ K4-1 7. R5=8 R8+8+ 8. K4+1 K4=5 9. R8=5+ K5=4 10. R5+6 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 2: R5+7 3. R4=1 R5=7 4. H7+6 Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 3: P4=3 4. R1=6+ K4=5 5. R6+6 Try it on the board
Variation 5, from move 1: R5=8 2. R4-2+ K4-1 3. R4-3 K4+1 4. H7+6 Try it on the board
Variation 6, from move 3: P8=7 4. R6=5+ K5=4 5. H5-7+ K4-1 6. H7+8+ K4+1 7. R5=4 K4=5 8. H8+7 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 12 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Pincer Attack from Above and Below"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R4+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.

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