B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 18

"B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 18" 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 R2=6. 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, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R2=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.
1. Black R1=4
1. Black R1=4
2. Red R9+4 (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.
2. Black K4-1
2. Black K4-1
3. Red R6+3 (captures the Chariot, check, 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
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
3. Black K4=5
3. Black K4=5
4. Red R9+1 (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.
4. Black A5-4
4. Black A5-4
5. Red R9=6 (captures the Advisor, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Red R9=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.

3. Black K4=5
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: Red mates immediately with R9+1. 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 18"?

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 R2=6 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 20 Next puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 19 →

Nearby puzzles

B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 22
6 moves
B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 21
5 moves
B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 20
5 moves
B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 19
5 moves
B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 17
5 moves
A. Two Chariots and Two Cannons Class: Standard Positions 3
4 moves