Horse Traps the Chariot

"Horse Traps the Chariot" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 11 moves; the key first move is K5=4. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

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 K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black P3=4
1. Black P3=4
2. Red R5+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black R4-6
2. Black R4-6
3. Red R5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black R4=5
3. Black R4=5
4. Red H4+2 (check)
4. Black K6=5
4. Black K6=5
5. Red H2+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R5+6 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black R5+6
6. Red H4-3 (check)
6. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black K5+1
7. Red R4+1 (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.
7. Black K5-1 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black K5-1
8. Red R4-6 (check)
8. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K5=4
9. 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.
9. Black K4+1
9. Black K4+1
10. Red R5=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 K4=5
10. Black K4=5
11. Red R6-1 (captures the Soldier, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
11. Red R6-1

Variations and alternative defences

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

Variation 1, from move 5: R5+7+ 6. K4+1 R5-1+ 7. K4+1 K5-1 8. H4-3 K5=4 9. H3-5 K4=5 10. H5+7 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 1: 1. R5=4 P3=4+ 2. K5=4 K6=5 3. H4+3+ K5=4 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 11 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Horse Traps the Chariot"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move K5=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: Horse Offered at the Palace Heart Next puzzle: Chariot and Horse Tie Down the King →

Nearby puzzles

Attack and Defense in Balance
13 moves
Adapting to the Enemy
18 moves
Horse Offered at the Palace Heart
7 moves
Chariot and Horse Tie Down the King
14 moves
14. Defend and Counterattack
17 moves
Impossible to Cover Both
16 moves