Horse and Chariot Before the King

"Horse and Chariot Before the King" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 13 moves; the key first move is R9+1. 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 R9+1 (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.
1. Black K4-1
1. Black K4-1
2. Red H3-4 (check)
2. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K4=5
3. Red H4-6 (check)
3. Black K5=4
3. Black K5=4
4. Red R9-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R5-4
4. Black R5-4
5. Red R9=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black P4=3
5. Black P4=3
6. Red R6-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P3=2
6. Black P3=2
7. Red R6-2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black R5=9
7. Black R5=9
8. Red H6+8 (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.
8. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K4=5
9. Red R6=5 (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.
9. Black R9=5
9. Black R9=5
10. Red H8+7 (check)
10. Black K5-1
10. Black K5-1
11. Red R5+6 (captures the Chariot, check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
11. Black K5=4
11. Black K5=4
12. 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 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black P2+1
12. Black P2+1
13. Red R5=6 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
13. Red R5=6

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 3 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 5: R5+6 6. R6-1 P4=3 7. H6+4+ K4=5 8. R6+5+ K5+1 9. H4+2 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 4: K4+1 5. R9=6 K4=5 6. H6-4+ K5=6 7. R6=4 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 4: K4-1 5. H6+4 R5=6+ 6. K4=5 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 13 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Horse and Chariot Before the King"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R9+1 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.

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