Chariot Hidden Behind the Horse

"Chariot Hidden Behind the Horse" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 11 moves; the key first move is R8+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 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 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black K4+1
1. Black K4+1
2. Red H7-8 (check)
2. Black K4=5
2. Black K4=5
3. Red H8-6 (check)
3. Black K5=4
3. Black K5=4
4. Red H6+4 (check)
4. Black R5-6
4. Black R5-6
5. Red R8-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R5=6 (captures the Horse, check)
5. Black R5=6
6. Red R8=4 (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.
6. Black K4=5
6. Black K4=5
7. Red R4-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P7=6
7. Black P7=6
8. Red R4=5 (check)
8. Black K5=4
8. Black K5=4
9. Red K4=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 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P6=5
9. Black P6=5
10. Red R5-1 (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 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P3+1
10. Black P3+1
11. Red R5=6 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
11. Red R5=6

Variations and alternative defences

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

Variation 1, from move 1: K4=5 2. H7-6+ K5+1 3. R8-1+ K5+1 4. H6+7 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 4: K4=5 5. R8=5+ Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 11 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot Hidden Behind the Horse"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R8+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: An Earth-Shattering Stroke Next puzzle: One Step Too Slow →

Nearby puzzles

Feint East, Strike West
19 moves
Nothing Can Be Done
15 moves
An Earth-Shattering Stroke
10 moves
One Step Too Slow
6 moves
Chariot Blocks the Horse's Leg
14 moves
Chariot and Horse Tie Down the King
12 moves