A. Two Cannons and Horse Class: Standard Positions 2

"A. Two Cannons and Horse Class: Standard Positions 2" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Horse & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 2 moves; the key first move is H7+8. 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, a Horse, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Horse, 2 Cannons, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H7+8 (check)
1. Black K4=5
1. Black K4=5
2. Red C9+9 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Red C9+9

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 K4=5
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+8. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 2 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "A. Two Cannons and Horse Class: Standard Positions 2"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H7+8 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 03 Next puzzle: A. Two Cannons and Horse Class: Standard Positions 1 →

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