Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 5

"Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 5" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Soldier mates. Red moves first and wins in 6 moves; the key first move is P4+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 Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot.

Solution move by move

1. Red P4+1 (captures the Advisor, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
1. Black K6=5
1. Black K6=5
2. Red R2+2 (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 K5-1
2. Black K5-1
3. Red P4+1 (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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black K5=4
3. Black K5=4
4. Red P4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black E5-7
4. Black E5-7
5. Red R2=4 (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 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R2+2
5. Black R2+2
6. Red R4+1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Red R4+1

Variations and alternative defences

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

Variation 1, from move 1: 1. R2+2+ K6-1 2. P4+1 E5-7 3. P4+1+ K6=5 4. R2+1 K5=4 5. R2=3+ K4+1 6. R3=5 R2+2 7. P4=5# Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 6 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 5"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P4+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 Soldier Class, Game 6 Next puzzle: Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 4 →

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