An Earth-Shattering Stroke

"An Earth-Shattering Stroke" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 10 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.

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=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R5-5
1. Black R5-5
2. Red R2-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black K4-1
2. Black K4-1
3. Red R2=6 (check)
3. Black K4=5
3. Black K4=5
4. Red H6-7 (check)
4. Black K5+1
4. Black K5+1
5. Red H7-5 (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.
5. Black P8=7
5. Black P8=7
6. Red R6-3 (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.
6. Black P7=6
6. Black P7=6
7. Red R6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black K5-1
7. Black K5-1
8. Red R6=4 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Black K5+1
8. Black K5+1
9. Red R4+6 (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.
9. Black K5=4
9. Black K5=4
10. Red R4-1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
10. Red R4-1

Variations and alternative defences

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

Variation 1, from move 2: R5=4 3. H6-8+ Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 1: R5-3 2. H6-8+ K4=5 3. H8-7+ K5=4 4. R2=6# Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 10 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "An Earth-Shattering Stroke"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

10 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: Nothing Can Be Done Next puzzle: Chariot Hidden Behind the Horse →

Nearby puzzles

51. Clearing the Obstacles
10 moves
Feint East, Strike West
19 moves
Nothing Can Be Done
15 moves
Chariot Hidden Behind the Horse
11 moves
One Step Too Slow
6 moves
Chariot Blocks the Horse's Leg
14 moves