Chariot and Horse Close the Net

"Chariot and Horse Close the Net" 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 R6=2. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

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 R6=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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black K6=5
1. Black K6=5
2. Red R2+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.
2. Black K5-1
2. Black K5-1
3. Red H2-3 (check)
3. Black K5+1
3. Black K5+1
4. Red H3-4 (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.
4. Black K5-1
4. Black K5-1
5. Red R2+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.
5. Black K5-1
5. Black K5-1
6. Red R2+1 (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.
6. Black K5+1
6. Black K5+1
7. Red H4+3 (check)
7. Black K5+1
7. Black K5+1
8. Red R2=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.
8. Black K5=6
8. Black K5=6
9. Red R5=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.
9. Black K6=5
9. Black K6=5
10. Red H3-5
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.
10. Black K5-1
10. Black K5-1
11. Red H5+7 (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.
11. Black K5+1
11. Black K5+1
12. 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.
12. Black K5=6
12. Black K5=6
13. Red H7-5
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.
13. Black P2=3
13. Black P2=3
14. Red H5-3 (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.
14. Black K6-1
14. Black K6-1
15. Red H3+2 (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.
15. Black K6+1
15. Black K6+1
16. Red R5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black K6=5
16. Black K6=5
17. Red R6-2 (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.
17. Black K5-1
17. Black K5-1
18. Red H2+3 (check)
18. Black K5=6
18. Black K5=6
19. Red R6=4 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
19. Red R6=4

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 3 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 10: R5=3 11. R4=5+ K5=6 12. R5=3 K6=5 13. R3-2+ K5-1 14. H5+7+ K5=6 15. H7+6+ K6=5 16. R3=5# Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 3: K5=6 4. R2+2 K6+1 5. R2=4+ K6=5 6. H3-5 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 7: 7. H4+6+ K5=4 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 "Chariot and Horse Close the Net"?

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 R6=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: Wind Horses and Cloud Chariots Next puzzle: Horse and Chariot Before the King →

Nearby puzzles

A Light Chariot on a Familiar Road
21 moves
A Mantis Blocking the Chariot
17 moves
Wind Horses and Cloud Chariots
13 moves
Horse and Chariot Before the King
16 moves
Spurring the Horse, Flying Chariot
12 moves
Chariot and Horse Pincer Attack
16 moves