A Mantis Blocking the Chariot

"A Mantis Blocking the Chariot" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 17 moves; the key first move is H3-5. 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 H3-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black K4-1
1. Black K4-1
2. Red H5-6 (check)
2. Black K4-1
2. Black K4-1
3. Red H6+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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black R4-1 (check)
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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black K4=5
4. Black K4=5
5. Red R4=3 (check)
5. Black K5=6
5. Black K5=6
6. Red R3-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black K6+1
6. Black K6+1
7. Red R3=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 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R4-6
7. Black R4-6
8. Red H4-6 (check)
8. Black K6=5
8. Black K6=5
9. Red R4+2 (check)
9. Black K5-1
9. Black K5-1
10. Red R4+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.
10. Black K5+1
10. Black K5+1
11. Red R4=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black P8=7
11. Black P8=7
12. Red R6-2 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P7=6
12. Black P7=6
13. Red R6=4 (check)
13. Black K5=4
13. Black K5=4
14. Red R4-4 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black K4+1
14. Black K4+1
15. Red H6+8 (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 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black K4=5
15. Black K4=5
16. Red H8+7 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
16. Black P3=2
16. Black P3=2
17. Red R4=5 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
17. Red R4=5

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 2 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 7: K6=5 8. H4-6+ K5=4 9. H6+8+ K4=5 10. R4=5# Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 2: K4+1 3. H6+8 K4=5 4. H8+7 R4-9 5. R4-1+ K5-1 6. R4+2 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 17 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "A Mantis Blocking the Chariot"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H3-5 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: A Light Chariot on a Familiar Road Next puzzle: Wind Horses and Cloud Chariots →

Nearby puzzles

Lone Chariot and Fine Horse
7 moves
Chariot Behind the Horse
15 moves
A Light Chariot on a Familiar Road
21 moves
Wind Horses and Cloud Chariots
13 moves
Chariot and Horse Close the Net
19 moves
Horse and Chariot Before the King
16 moves