Strangely Familiar

"Strangely Familiar" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 24 moves; the key first move is R3=5. 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, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R3=5 (check)
1. Black K5=4
1. Black K5=4
2. Red K4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black R4+7 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
2. Black R4+7
3. Red K5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P3=4 (check)
3. Black P3=4
4. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R4=7
4. Black R4=7
5. Red H9-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R7-1 (check)
5. Black R7-1
6. Red K4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R7=5
6. Black R7=5
7. Red H7+5 (check)
7. Black K4+1
7. Black K4+1
8. Red H5+4 (check)
8. Black K4-1
8. Black K4-1
9. Red R5=7 (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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black K4=5
9. Black K4=5
10. Red R7+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.
10. Black K5+1
10. Black K5+1
11. Red H4-3 (check)
11. Black K5=4
11. Black K5=4
12. Red R7-3 (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.
12. Black K4-1
12. Black K4-1
13. Red R7=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.
13. Black K4=5
13. Black K4=5
14. Red R6=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 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black R5-1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
14. Black R5-1
15. 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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black P4=5 (check, the only legal reply)
15. Black P4=5
16. 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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black K5=4
16. Black K5=4
17. Red H3-5 (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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
17. Black K4=5
17. Black K4=5
18. Red H5+7 (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.
18. Black P5+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
18. Black P5+1
19. 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.
19. Black R5+1 (check, the only legal reply)
19. Black R5+1
20. 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.
20. Black R5-1 (check, the only legal reply)
20. Black R5-1
21. 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.
21. Black R5+1 (check, the only legal reply)
21. Black R5+1
22. 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.
22. Black R5=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
22. Black R5=6
23. 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.
23. Black P5=4
23. Black P5=4
24. Red R4=5 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
24. Red R4=5

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 6 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 5: R7-7 6. H7+5+ K4=5 7. H5+7+ K5=4 8. R5=6+ Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 4: R4=9 5. R5=6+ K4=5 6. H9+7+ K5+1 7. H7-6+ K5+1 8. R6=5+ K5=4 9. H6+8 R9-9 10. H8-7+ K4-1 11. H7+5+ K4+1 12. H5+4+ K4-1 13. R5=7 R9+8+ 14. K4+1 K4=5 15. R7+5+ K5-1 16. H4-6+ K5=4 17. R7=5 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 13: K4=5 14. R7+5+ K5+1 15. H4-3+ K5=4 16. H3-5+ K4=5 17. H5+7+ Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 7: K5-1 8. R6=5+ K5=4 9. H6+4 Try it on the board
Variation 5, from move 7: K5=4 8. H6+8+ K4=5 9. R6=5# Try it on the board
Variation 6, from move 4: P4=3 5. H9-7 R4-1+ 6. K4+1 R4-5 7. K4=5 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 24 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Strangely Familiar"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R3=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: A Plan Well in Mind Next puzzle: Chariot and Horse Roam Freely →

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