B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 26

"B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 26" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 7 moves; the key first move is R3+7. 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 Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Cannon. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R3+7 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black A5-6
2. 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.
2. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K4+1
3. Red R7+4 (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.
3. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K4+1
4. Red C2-1 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
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.
4. Black E5+7 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black E5+7
5. Red R4-2 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Black E7-5 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black E7-5
6. Red R4+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
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.
6. Black E5+7 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black E5+7
7. Red R7-1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
7. Red R7-1

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.

1. Black A5-6
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+5. Try it on the board
4. Black E5+7
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black E7-5
- If Black plays E3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black E5+7
- If Black plays E5+3 instead: Red mates immediately with R7-1. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 7 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 26"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R3+7 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: B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 07 Next puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 24 →

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