Double Mate Threat With No Defense

"Double Mate Threat With No Defense" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 17 moves; the key first move is R6=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, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R6=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R5+2 (check)
1. Black R5+2
2. 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.
2. Black R5-1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
2. Black R5-1
3. Red K4-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P4=5 (check, the only legal reply)
3. Black P4=5
4. Red K4-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black K5=4
4. Black K5=4
5. Red H8-6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K4+1
5. Black K4+1
6. Red H6+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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black K4+1
6. Black K4+1
7. Red H7+8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R5-4
7. Black R5-4
8. Red R4+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black R5-2
8. Black R5-2
9. Red R4-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R5+5
9. Black R5+5
10. Red H8-9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black K4-1
10. Black K4-1
11. Red R4+2 (check)
11. Black K4-1
11. Black K4-1
12. Red H9+8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R5-4
12. Black R5-4
13. Red R4+1 (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.
13. Black R5-2 (threatens mate next move)
13. Black R5-2
14. Red H8-7 (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.
14. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
14. Black K4+1
15. Red R4=5 (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 for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black P5=6 (check)
15. Black P5=6
16. Red K4+1 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
16. Black K4+1
16. Black K4+1
17. Red H7+8 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
17. Red H7+8

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 5 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

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

Final position

Red wins after 17 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Double Mate Threat With No Defense"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R6=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: The King's Retreat Is Masterful Next puzzle: Besieged on All Sides →

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