Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 8

"Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 8" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Soldier mates. Red moves first and wins in 13 moves; the key first move is P7+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, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot, a Horse, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red P7+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black K4=5
1. Black K4=5
2. Red P7=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black A5+4
2. Black A5+4
3. Red R8=5 (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.
3. Black K5=6
3. Black K5=6
4. Red P6+1 (captures the Advisor, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
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.
4. Black K6-1
4. Black K6-1
5. Red P6=5 (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.
5. Black K6-1
5. Black K6-1
6. Red R5=4 (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.
6. Black K6=5
6. Black K6=5
7. Red R4=2 (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.
7. Black A4+5
7. Black A4+5
8. Red R2+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black A5-6
8. Black A5-6
9. Red R2=8 (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.
9. Black K5=4
9. Black K5=4
10. 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.
10. Black K4=5
10. Black K4=5
11. Red P6+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 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black A6+5
11. Black A6+5
12. Red R8+1 (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.
12. Black A5-4
12. Black A5-4
13. Red R8=6 (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.
13. Red R8=6

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 4 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 8: 8. R2=5 A5-6 9. P5=6+ K5=4 10. R5=8 K4=5 11. P6+1 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 9: A6+5 10. P6+1 K5=6 11. P6=5 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 7: K5=6 8. P5=4 K6=5 9. P4+1 Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 2: A5-6 3. R8=5+ K5=6 4. P6=5 K6-1 5. P5+1 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 "Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 8"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Chariot & Soldier 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 P7+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 9 Next puzzle: Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 7 →

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