B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 21

"B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 21" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is C7+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, 2 Advisors, 2 Chariots, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Cannons, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red C7+5 (captures the Elephant, check, sacrifices the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black E5-3 (captures the Cannon)
1. Black E5-3
2. Red R6+5 (captures the Advisor, check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
2. Black K6+1
2. Black K6+1
3. Red R7=4 (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.
3. Black A5+6
3. Black A5+6
4. Red R4+1 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
4. Black K6+1 (captures the Chariot)
4. Black K6+1
5. Red R6=4 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Red R6=4

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 E5-3
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K6+1
- If Black plays A5-4 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=4. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 5 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 21"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C7+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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