Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 4

"Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 4" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Soldier mates. Red moves first and wins in 9 moves; the key first move is P5=6. 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, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot.

Solution move by move

1. Red P5=6 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
1. Black K4=5
1. Black K4=5
2. Red P6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black A5-4
2. Black A5-4
3. Red P6+1 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K5=4 (captures the Soldier)
3. Black K5=4
4. Red R8+3 (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.
4. Black K4+1
4. Black K4+1
5. Red R8-1 (check)
5. Black K4-1
5. Black K4-1
6. Red R8=3 (captures the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black K4=5
6. Black K4=5
7. Red R3=8
7. Black A6+5
7. Black A6+5
8. Red E5+3 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Black K5=6
8. Black K5=6
9. Red R8=5 (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.
9. Red R8=5

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 1 variation. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 1: A5+4 2. R8+3+ K4+1 3. R8-1+ K4-1 4. R8=3 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 9 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 4"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P5=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: Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 5 Next puzzle: Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 2 →

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