B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 03

"B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 03" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Horse & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is H5+4. 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, a Elephant, a Horse, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red H5+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 34 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
1. Black E3+5
1. Black E3+5
2. Red H4+2 (check, threatens mate next move, 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.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black E5-7
2. Black E5-7
3. Red H2-3 (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.
3. Black K6+1
3. Black K6+1
4. Red C5=4 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Red C5=4

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 E3+5
- If Black plays C2=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-2 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-3 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-4 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+2. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 4 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 03"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Horse & Cannon mates.

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H5+4 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 Cannons and Horse Class, Game 02 Next puzzle: A. Two Cannons and Horse Class: Standard Positions 2 →

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