B. Chariot and Two Cannons Class, Game 04

B. Chariot and Two Cannons Class, Game 04楚河 漢界帥車卒俥炮士象砲士象將炮

"B. Chariot and Two Cannons Class, Game 04" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 6 moves; the key first move is R3+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, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

  1. 1. Red R3+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.
    1. Black C6-2
    1楚河 漢界帥車卒炮士象士象將砲俥炮
    1. Black C6-2
  2. 2. Red C2=4 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
    Why it works
    • Wins material: takes the Cannon.
    • 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.
    2. Black K5=4
    2楚河 漢界帥車卒炮士象士象將炮俥
    2. Black K5=4
  3. 3. Red C4-4 (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.
    3. Black A5-6
    3楚河 漢界帥車卒炮炮士象象將士俥
    3. Black A5-6
  4. 4. Red R3=4 (captures the Advisor, 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.
    • Wins material: takes the Advisor.
    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    4. Black K4+1
    4楚河 漢界帥車卒炮炮士象將象俥
    4. Black K4+1
  5. 5. Red C4=6 (check, threatens mate next move, 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.
    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
    • Takes away the General's escape squares.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    5. Black A4-5
    5楚河 漢界帥車卒炮炮象將士象俥
    5. Black A4-5
  6. 6. Red C5=6 (checkmate)
    Why it works
    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
    6楚河 漢界帥車卒炮炮象將士象俥
    6. Red C5=6

Variations and alternative defences

What if Black defends differently? The alternatives below were checked with the rules engine; lines marked with a mating move lose at once, the others are worth trying on the analysis board.

Final position

Final position楚河 漢界帥車卒炮炮象將士象俥

Red wins after 6 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Chariot and Two Cannons Class, Game 04"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R3+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.

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