Chariot and Soldier Class: Standard Positions 2

"Chariot and Soldier Class: Standard Positions 2" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Chariot & Soldier mates. Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is P6+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, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot.

Solution move by move

1. Red P6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
1. Black R2=6
1. Black R2=6
2. Red P6=5 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
2. Black K6+1
2. Black K6+1
3. Red R3+1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Red R3+1

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 2 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 2: K6=5 3. R3+2# Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 1: R2-7 2. P6=5+ R2=5 3. R3+2+ K6+1 4. R3=5 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 3 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Chariot and Soldier Class: Standard Positions 2"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P6+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.

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