Attack and Defense in Balance

"Attack and Defense in Balance" 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 H3+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 H3+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.
1. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K4=5
2. Red H5-7 (check)
2. Black R4-2
2. Black R4-2
3. Red K4-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P4=5
3. Black P4=5
4. Red R8=9
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P5=4
4. Black P5=4
5. Red R9-1 (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.
5. Black K5-1
5. Black K5-1
6. Red R9=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R4=3 (captures the Horse)
6. Black R4=3
7. Red R4+1 (check)
7. Black K5-1 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black K5-1
8. Red R4=7 (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.
8. Black P4+1
8. Black P4+1
9. Red R7-3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black P4=5 (check, the only legal reply)
9. Black P4=5
10. Red K4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P5=6
10. Black P5=6
11. Red K4-1 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
11. Black K5+1
11. Black K5+1
12. Red R7+3 (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.
12. Black K5-1
12. Black K5-1
13. Red R7=6 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
13. Red R7=6

Variations and alternative defences

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

Variation 1, from move 3: P4=3 4. R8-2 R4=3 5. R8=5+ K5=4 6. K4=5 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 3: 3. R8-1+ K5-1 4. R8=4 P4=5+ 5. K4-1 R4+8# 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 "Attack and Defense in Balance"?

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 H3+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: Caught Between Advance and Retreat Next puzzle: Adapting to the Enemy →

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