Wind Horses and Cloud Chariots

"Wind Horses and Cloud Chariots" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 13 moves; the key first move is R8+7. 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 R8+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.
1. Black K4+1
1. Black K4+1
2. Red H7+5 (check)
2. Black K4=5
2. Black K4=5
3. Red H5+7 (check)
3. Black K5=6
3. Black K5=6
4. Red R8-5 (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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R8+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
4. Black R8+1
5. 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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R8-4
5. Black R8-4
6. Red H7-5 (check)
6. Black K6=5
6. Black K6=5
7. Red H5+3 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black K5=6
7. Black K5=6
8. Red R8+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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black R8+3 (check)
8. Black R8+3
9. 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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black K6+1
9. Black K6+1
10. Red H3-4 (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.
10. Black K6-1
10. Black K6-1
11. Red R8-1 (check)
11. Black K6+1
11. Black K6+1
12. Red H4+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.
12. Black K6=5
12. Black K6=5
13. Red R8-1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
13. Red R8-1

Variations and alternative defences

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

Variation 1, from move 11: K6-1 12. H4+3+ K6=5 13. R8+1# Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 3: K5+1 4. R8=5+ K5=4 5. R5=6+ K4=5 6. H7-6+ K5-1 7. H6+4+ K5=6 8. H4+6+ K6=5 9. R6=5+ K5=4 10. H6-5 R8+1+ 11. K4+1 R8=3 12. H5+4+ K4+1 13. R5-1 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 8: K6+1 9. H6-5+ K6-1 10. R6-1+ K6-1 11. H5+6 Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 4: 4. R8-4 K6+1 5. H7+6 Try it on the board
Variation 5, from move 4: K6-1 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 13 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Wind Horses and Cloud Chariots"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R8+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: A Mantis Blocking the Chariot Next puzzle: Chariot and Horse Close the Net →

Nearby puzzles

Chariot Behind the Horse
15 moves
A Light Chariot on a Familiar Road
21 moves
A Mantis Blocking the Chariot
17 moves
Chariot and Horse Close the Net
19 moves
Horse and Chariot Before the King
16 moves
Spurring the Horse, Flying Chariot
12 moves