Chariot and Soldier Class: Standard Positions 3

"Chariot and Soldier Class: Standard Positions 3" 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 P3+1. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red P3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black K6-1
1. Black K6-1
2. Red R2+5 (check)
2. Black E5-7
2. Black E5-7
3. Red R2=3 (captures the Elephant, 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.
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K6+1
3. Black K6+1
4. Red R3=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black A5+4
4. Black A5+4
5. 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.
5. Black K6-1
5. Black K6-1
6. Red P3=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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black K6=5
6. Black K6=5
7. 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.
7. Black -A+5
7. Black -A+5
8. Red R2+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.
8. Black A5-6
8. Black A5-6
9. Red R2=4 (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.
9. Red R2=4

Variations and alternative defences

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

Variation 1, from move 4: 4. P3+1+ K6+1 5. R3=2 K6=5 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 2: 2. P3+1 K6=5 3. P3=4 A5-6 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 1: A5+6 2. P3=4+ K6=5 3. R2+4+ K5-1 4. P4+1 Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 1: A5+4 2. P3=4+ K6=5 3. R2+4+ K5-1 4. P4+1 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 "Chariot and Soldier Class: Standard Positions 3"?

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 P3+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.

Next puzzle: Chariot and Soldier Class: Standard Positions 2 →

Nearby puzzles

Chariot and Soldier Class: Standard Positions 2
3 moves
Chariot and Soldier Class: Standard Positions 1
2 moves
B. Two Chariots and Soldier Class, Game 08
9 moves
B. Two Chariots and Soldier Class, Game 07
7 moves