B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 01
"B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 01" 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 C1+3. 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 Advisor, a Elephant, a Horse, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon, a Soldier.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red C1+3Why 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 for1. Black E7+91. Black E7+9 - 2. Red H3+2Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for2. Black K6=52. Black K6=5 - 3. Red C4+7Why 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 for3. Black E5-73. Black E5-7 - 4. Red C4-1Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for4. Red C4-1
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.
- 2. Black K6=5
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1-1. 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 01"?
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 C1+3 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.
Nearby puzzles
- B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 07
- B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 08
- B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 09
- B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 02
- B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 03
- A. Two Cannons and Horse Class: Standard Positions 2
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