Turning Their Plan Against Them

"Turning Their Plan Against Them" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 21 moves; the key first move is H2+4. 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 H2+4 (check)
1. Black K4+1
1. Black K4+1
2. Red R4=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.
2. Black K4=5
2. Black K4=5
3. Red R6=5 (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 K5=4
3. Black K5=4
4. Red H4-5 (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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black K4-1
4. Black K4-1
5. Red H5+7 (check)
5. Black K4-1
5. Black K4-1
6. Red H7+8 (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 K4+1
6. Black K4+1
7. Red R5=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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black K4=5
7. Black K4=5
8. Red R4+2 (check)
8. Black K5-1
8. Black K5-1
9. Red H8-6 (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.
9. Black K5=4
9. Black K5=4
10. Red R4=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.
10. Black R8=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
10. Black R8=6
11. Red H6+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
11. Black R6=9
11. Black R6=9
12. Red R5=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.
12. Black K4=5
12. Black K4=5
13. Red R7+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.
13. Black K5+1
13. Black K5+1
14. Red R7=1 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black P5+1
14. Black P5+1
15. Red H4-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black P5=6
15. Black P5=6
16. Red R1=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black P4=5 (check)
16. Black P4=5
17. Red K4=5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black P6=7
17. Black P6=7
18. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black K5+1
18. Black K5+1
19. Red R4=5 (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.
19. Black K5=6
19. Black K5=6
20. Red R5-1 (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.
20. Black P7=8
20. Black P7=8
21. Red H5-3 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
21. Red H5-3

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 1 variation. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

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

Final position

Red wins after 21 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Turning Their Plan Against Them"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H2+4 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: Chariot and Horse Tie Down the King Next puzzle: Adapting to the Moment →

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