Chariot and Cannon Class, Game 04

"Chariot and Cannon Class, Game 04" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is R7-1. 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, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon.

Solution move by move

1. Red R7-1 (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.
1. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K4+1
2. Red R7-1 (captures the Horse, check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
2. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K4-1
3. Red A5+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.
3. Black C7=4
3. Black C7=4
4. Red R7=6 (captures the Cannon, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Red R7=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.

2. Black K4-1
- If Black plays C7=3 instead: Red mates immediately with A5+6. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 4 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot and Cannon Class, Game 04"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R7-1 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: Chariot and Cannon Class, Game 03 Next puzzle: Chariot and Cannon Class, Game 05 →

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