Chariot and Cannon Class, Game 01

"Chariot and Cannon Class, Game 01" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is C8+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, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon.

Solution move by move

1. Red C8+7 (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.
1. Black A5-4
1. Black A5-4
2. Red R6+5 (captures the Advisor, check, 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.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black K5+1
2. Black K5+1
3. Red R6-1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Red R6-1

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 A5-4
- If Black plays E3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+5. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 3 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot and Cannon Class, Game 01"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C8+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 Two Cannons Class, Game 19 Next puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Two Cannons Class, Game 17 →

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