Lone Chariot and Fine Horse

"Lone Chariot and Fine Horse" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 7 moves; the key first move is R8=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. Red R8=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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R9-6
1. Black R9-6
2. Red R2-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black P4=5
2. Black P4=5
3. Red R2=6 (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.
3. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K4=5
4. Red R6=5 (check)
4. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K5=6
5. Red H8-6 (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.
5. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K6-1
6. Red R5=4 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black R9=6
6. Black R9=6
7. Red R4+2 (captures the Chariot, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
7. Red R4+2

Variations and alternative defences

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

Variation 1, from move 4: K5=4 5. H8+7+ K4-1 6. R5=6+ Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 1: K4=5 2. R2-2+ K5-1 3. H8+7+ K5=6 4. R2-3 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 2: 2. H8-6 R9+1+ 3. K4+1 P4=5+ Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 7 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Lone Chariot and Fine Horse"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R8=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: Adapting to the Moment Next puzzle: Chariot Behind the Horse →

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