B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 32

"B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 32" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 13 moves; the key first move is R1+3. 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, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R1+3 (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 A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black A5-6
2. Red C2+7 (check)
2. Black -A+5 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black -A+5
3. Red R3+3 (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.
3. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black A5-6
4. Red R3-4 (captures the Elephant, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black -A+5 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black -A+5
5. Red R3+4 (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.
5. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black A5-6
6. Red R3-2 (check)
6. Black -A+5 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black -A+5
7. Red C2-6 (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.
7. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black A5-6
8. Red R1=4 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
8. Black K5=6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
8. Black K5=6
9. 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.
9. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
9. Black K6=5
10. Red R4=5 (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.
10. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black K5=4
11. Red C2=6 (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.
11. Black C4+7 (captures the Advisor, threatens mate next move)
11. Black C4+7
12. Red R5=6 (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.
12. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
12. Black K4=5
13. Red C6=5 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
13. Red C6=5

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.

2. Black -A+5
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black -A+5
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black -A+5
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black K5=6
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black C4+7
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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 "B. Two Chariots and Cannon Class, Game 32"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Chariot & Cannon 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 R1+3 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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