Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 9

"Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 9" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Soldier mates. Red moves first and wins in 14 moves; the key first move is R3+5. 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, a Chariot, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R3+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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R5+1 (captures the Elephant, check, the only legal reply)
1. Black R5+1
2. Red K5=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 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black R5=6
2. Black R5=6
3. Red R3=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P6=7
3. Black P6=7
4. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P7=6
4. Black P7=6
5. Red R5+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black R6-1 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black R6-1
6. Red P6=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.
6. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black K6-1
7. Red K6-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P6=7
7. Black P6=7
8. Red R5=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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black R6+3 (check, the only legal reply)
8. Black R6+3
9. Red K6+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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black R6-1 (check)
9. Black R6-1
10. Red K6-1 (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 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black R6+1 (check, the only legal reply)
10. Black R6+1
11. Red K6+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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black R6-1 (check)
11. Black R6-1
12. Red K6-1 (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 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black R6=4 (check)
12. Black R6=4
13. Red R6-6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
13. Black P7+1
13. Black P7+1
14. Red R6=4 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
14. Red R6=4

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 11 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 7: 7. R5=6 P6=5+ 8. K6=5 R6=5+ 9. K5=6 R5-5 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 4: R6-2 5. P6=5+ K6+1 6. K6=5 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 4: 4. K6=5 R6+2+ 5. K5+1 P7=6+ 6. K5=6 K6+1 7. P6=5 R6=3 Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 3: R6-2 4. P6=5+ K6-1 5. R5=6 Try it on the board
Variation 5, from move 4: K6+1 5. K6=5 Try it on the board
Variation 6, from move 2: K6+1 3. R3=4+ K6=5 4. R4-4 Try it on the board
Variation 7, from move 1: R5=4 Try it on the board
Variation 8, from move 1: R5=6 2. E5+7 R6=5+ 3. K5=6 R5=6 4. R3=5 Try it on the board
Variation 9, from move 1: 1. R3+2 R5=6 2. E5+7 R6=5+ 3. E7-5 R5=6 4. E5+7 Try it on the board
Variation 10, from move 2: 2. R3-2 R6=2 Try it on the board
Variation 11, from move 2: 2. K5=6 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 14 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 9"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R3+5 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 Soldier Class, Game 01 Next puzzle: Chariot and Soldier Class, Game 8 →

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