Chariot and Horse Bully the Chariot

"Chariot and Horse Bully the Chariot" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 26 moves; the key first move is R6+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 R6+5 (check)
1. Black K6+1
1. Black K6+1
2. Red R6-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black K6-1
2. Black K6-1
3. Red H4-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black K6-1
3. Black K6-1
4. Red H2+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 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
4. Black K6=5
4. Black K6=5
5. 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.
5. Black K5=6
5. Black K5=6
6. Red H3+5 (check)
6. Black K6+1
6. Black K6+1
7. Red H5+6 (check)
7. Black K6-1
7. Black K6-1
8. Red R5=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black K6=5
8. Black K6=5
9. Red R2+3 (check)
9. Black K5+1
9. Black K5+1
10. Red H6-7 (check)
10. Black K5=6
10. Black K5=6
11. Red R2-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R7+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
11. Black R7+1
12. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R7=5
12. Black R7=5
13. Red R2-1 (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 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black R5-1 (check)
13. Black R5-1
14. Red K6+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.
14. Black K6-1
14. Black K6-1
15. Red R2=4 (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.
15. Black K6=5
15. Black K6=5
16. Red R4=6 (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.
16. Black R5-1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
16. Black R5-1
17. Red K6-1 (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.
17. Black P6=5 (check, the only legal reply)
17. Black P6=5
18. Red K6-1 (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.
18. Black K5=6
18. Black K5=6
19. Red H7-5 (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.
19. Black K6=5
19. Black K6=5
20. Red H5+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.
20. Black P5+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
20. Black P5+1
21. Red K6+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 K6+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 R5-1 (check, the only legal reply)
22. Black R5-1
23. Red K6-1 (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.
23. Black R5+1 (check, the only legal reply)
23. Black R5+1
24. Red K6+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.
24. Black R5=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
24. Black R5=4
25. Red K6-1 (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.
25. Black P5=6
25. Black P5=6
26. Red R6=5 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
26. Red R6=5

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 4 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 13: P6=5+ 14. K6+1 K6-1 15. H7+6 K6=5 16. R2=5+ K5=6 17. H6-5+ K6+1 18. H5-3+ K6-1 19. R5+2 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 11: K6-1 12. H7-5 K6=5 13. R2=5+ K5=6 14. H5+3+ K6+1 15. R5+1+ K6+1 16. H3+4 R7+1+ 17. K6+1 R7-9 18. H4-6 R7=4 19. K6+1 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 3: R7+1+ 4. K6+1 R7-7 5. H2+3 K6=5 6. R6=5+ K5=6 7. K6+1 K6-1 8. K6=5 Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 1: K6-1 2. H4+5+ K6=5 3. R6-2 K5+1 4. R6=5 R7+1+ 5. K6+1 R7-7 6. H5-3+ K5=6 7. K6+1 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 26 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot and Horse Bully the Chariot"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R6+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: Horse Checks in Front of the Chariot Next puzzle: The King's Retreat Is Masterful →

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