B. Two Chariots and Soldier Class, Game 08

"B. Two Chariots and Soldier Class, Game 08" 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 +R+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, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red +R+5 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black A5-6
1. Black A5-6
2. Red +R=4 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black K5=6 (captures the Chariot)
2. Black K5=6
3. Red R2+8 (check)
3. Black K6+1
3. Black K6+1
4. Red R2-1 (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 K6-1
4. Black K6-1
5. Red P4+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K6=5
5. Black K6=5
6. 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 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black K5=4
6. Black K5=4
7. Red P4=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black E5-7
7. Black E5-7
8. 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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P3+1 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black P3+1
9. Red R4+1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
9. Red R4+1

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.

1. Black A5-6
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K5=6
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+7. Try it on the board
3. Black K6+1
- If Black plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black K6=5
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black K5=4
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black E5-7
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black P3+1
- If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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 "B. Two Chariots and Soldier Class, Game 08"?

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 +R+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: Chariot and Soldier Class: Standard Positions 1 Next puzzle: B. Two Chariots and Soldier Class, Game 07 →

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