Before the Saddle, Behind the Horse

Before the Saddle, Behind the Horse楚河 漢界帥卒車卒傌俥將

"Before the Saddle, Behind the Horse" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 18 moves; the key first move is H9-7. 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 Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, a Chariot, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

  1. 1. Red H9-7 (check)
    1. Black K4=5
    1楚河 漢界帥卒車卒傌俥將
    1. Black K4=5
  2. 2. Red R3=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.
    2. Black K5=6
    2楚河 漢界帥卒車卒傌俥將
    2. Black K5=6
  3. 3. Red K4=5
    Why it works–
    What to watch out for
    • Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    3. Black P3+1
    3楚河 漢界卒帥車卒傌俥將
    3. Black P3+1
  4. 4. Red R5+1 (check)
    4. Black K6-1
    4楚河 漢界卒帥車卒傌俥將
    4. Black K6-1
  5. 5. Red H7+6
    Why it works–
    What to watch out for
    • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    • The Horse stands where it can be captured.
    5. Black P3=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
    5楚河 漢界卒帥車卒傌俥將
    5. Black P3=4
  6. 6. Red K5=4
    Why it works–
    What to watch out for
    • Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    6. Black P6+1 (threatens mate next move)
    6楚河 漢界卒帥車卒傌俥將
    6. Black P6+1
  7. 7. Red R5-6 (check)
    7. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
    7楚河 漢界卒帥車俥卒傌將
    7. Black K6+1
  8. 8. Red H6-5 (check)
    8. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
    8楚河 漢界卒帥車俥卒傌將
    8. Black K6=5
  9. 9. Red H5+7 (check)
    9. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
    9楚河 漢界卒帥車俥卒傌將
    9. Black K5=4
  10. 10. Red R5=4 (captures the Soldier)
    Why it works
    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.
    What to watch out for
    • Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    10. Black K4+1
    10楚河 漢界卒帥車俥傌將
    10. Black K4+1
  11. 11. Red R4+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.
    11. Black K4-1
    11楚河 漢界卒帥車傌俥將
    11. Black K4-1
  12. 12. Red R4+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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    12. Black P4=5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
    12楚河 漢界卒帥車傌將俥
    12. Black P4=5
  13. 13. Red K4=5 (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.
    13. Black R4+1 (check, the only legal reply)
    13楚河 漢界車帥傌將俥
    13. Black R4+1
  14. 14. 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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    14. Black R4-1 (check)
    14楚河 漢界車帥傌將俥
    14. Black R4-1
  15. 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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    15. Black R4+1 (check, the only legal reply)
    15楚河 漢界車帥傌將俥
    15. Black R4+1
  16. 16. 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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    16. Black R4=5 (check)
    16楚河 漢界車帥傌將俥
    16. Black R4=5
  17. 17. Red K5-1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
    Why it works
    • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
    • Wins material: takes the Chariot.
    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    17. Black K4+1
    17楚河 漢界帥傌將俥
    17. Black K4+1
  18. 18. Red R4=6 (checkmate)
    Why it works
    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    18楚河 漢界帥傌將俥
    18. Red R4=6

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 5 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Final position

Final position楚河 漢界帥傌將俥

Red wins after 18 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Before the Saddle, Behind the Horse"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H9-7 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: Advance and Retreat with MeasureNext puzzle: Chariot Hidden Behind the Horse →

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