A Waiting Move Builds Strength

A Waiting Move Builds Strength楚河 漢界帥卒車俥傌將

"A Waiting Move Builds Strength" 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 H2+3. 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. 1. 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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    1. Black K4-1
    1楚河 漢界帥卒車俥傌將
    1. Black K4-1
  2. 2. Red R8=9
    Why it works–
    What to watch out for
    • Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    2. Black R5=7
    2楚河 漢界帥卒車俥傌將
    2. Black R5=7
  3. 3. Red H3+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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    3. Black K4=5
    3楚河 漢界帥卒車俥將傌
    3. Black K4=5
  4. 4. Red R9=5 (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.
    4. Black K5=4
    4楚河 漢界帥卒車俥將傌
    4. Black K5=4
  5. 5. Red H4-5 (check)
    5. Black K4+1
    5楚河 漢界帥卒車俥傌將
    5. Black K4+1
  6. 6. Red H5-7 (check)
    6. Black K4-1
    6楚河 漢界帥卒車俥傌將
    6. Black K4-1
  7. 7. Red R5+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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    7. Black R7+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
    7楚河 漢界帥車卒傌俥將
    7. Black R7+1
  8. 8. 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.
    8. Black R7-1 (check)
    8楚河 漢界卒帥車傌俥將
    8. Black R7-1
  9. 9. 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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    9. Black R7+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
    9楚河 漢界帥車卒傌俥將
    9. Black R7+1
  10. 10. 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.
    10. Black R7=2
    10楚河 漢界車卒帥傌俥將
    10. Black R7=2
  11. 11. Red H7+8 (check, sacrifices the Horse, 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 for
    • Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
    11. Black R2-8 (captures the Horse)
    11楚河 漢界卒帥車俥將
    11. Black R2-8
  12. 12. Red R5=8 (captures the Chariot)
    Why it works
    • Wins material: takes the Chariot.
    What to watch out for
    • Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    12. Black K4=5
    12楚河 漢界卒帥俥將
    12. Black K4=5
  13. 13. Red R8-7
    Why it works–
    What to watch out for
    • Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    13. Black P4+1
    13楚河 漢界卒俥帥將
    13. Black P4+1
  14. 14. Red R8-1
    Why it works–
    What to watch out for
    • Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    14. Black P4=3
    14楚河 漢界俥卒帥將
    14. Black P4=3
  15. 15. Red R8=7 (captures the Soldier)
    Why it works
    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    15. Black K5+1
    15楚河 漢界俥帥將
    15. Black K5+1
  16. 16. Red R7+8 (check, threatens mate next move)
    Why it works
    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    16. Black K5-1
    16楚河 漢界帥俥將
    16. Black K5-1
  17. 17. Red R7=6 (checkmate)
    Why it works
    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    17楚河 漢界帥俥將
    17. Red R7=6

Variations and alternative defences

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

Final position

Final position楚河 漢界帥俥將

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

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "A Waiting Move Builds Strength"?

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 H2+3 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: Chariot Behind the Horse WinsNext puzzle: Waiting for the Right Moment →

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