Chariot Behind the Horse

Chariot Behind the Horse楚河 漢界帥卒車卒俥將傌

"Chariot Behind the Horse" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 15 moves; the key first move is R2+2. 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 R2+2
    Why it works–
    What to watch out for
    • Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    1. Black K5=6
    1楚河 漢界帥卒車卒將傌俥
    1. Black K5=6
  2. 2. Red H3-4 (check)
    2. Black K6+1
    2楚河 漢界帥卒車卒傌將俥
    2. Black K6+1
  3. 3. 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.
    3. Black K6-1
    3楚河 漢界帥卒車卒傌俥將
    3. Black K6-1
  4. 4. Red H4+6 (check)
    4. Black K6=5
    4楚河 漢界帥卒車卒傌俥將
    4. Black K6=5
  5. 5. Red H6+7 (check)
    5. Black K5=6
    5楚河 漢界帥卒車卒俥將傌
    5. Black K5=6
  6. 6. Red R2-1 (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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    6. Black K6+1
    6楚河 漢界帥卒車卒俥將傌
    6. Black K6+1
  7. 7. Red R2=4 (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.
    7. Black K6=5
    7楚河 漢界帥卒車卒俥將傌
    7. Black K6=5
  8. 8. Red R4-2 (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 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    8. Black R5+1 (check, the only legal reply)
    8楚河 漢界車帥卒俥將傌
    8. Black R5+1
  9. 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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    9. Black R5-1 (check)
    9楚河 漢界卒車帥俥將傌
    9. Black R5-1
  10. 10. 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 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    10. Black R5-1 (check, the only legal reply)
    10楚河 漢界卒車帥俥將傌
    10. Black R5-1
  11. 11. 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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    11. Black R5+1 (check)
    11楚河 漢界卒車帥俥將傌
    11. Black R5+1
  12. 12. 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 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    12. Black R5+1 (check, the only legal reply)
    12楚河 漢界車帥卒俥將傌
    12. Black R5+1
  13. 13. 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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    13. Black R5=6 (check, the only legal reply)
    13楚河 漢界車卒帥俥將傌
    13. Black R5=6
  14. 14. Red K4-1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
    Why it works
    • Wins material: takes the Chariot.
    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    14. Black P3=4
    14楚河 漢界帥卒俥將傌
    14. Black P3=4
  15. 15. Red R4=5 (checkmate)
    Why it works
    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    15楚河 漢界帥卒俥將傌
    15. Red R4=5

Variations and alternative defences

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

Final position

Final position楚河 漢界帥卒俥將傌

Red wins after 15 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot Behind the Horse"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R2+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: Lone Chariot and Fine HorseNext puzzle: A Light Chariot on a Familiar Road →

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