B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 03

"B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 03" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Horse & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 9 moves; the key first move is H8+6. 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, a Advisor, 2 Horses, a Cannon. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Horses, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H8+6 (check)
1. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K5+1
2. Red H3-4 (check)
2. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K5=4
3. Red C8=6 (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.
3. Black C5=4 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black C5=4
4. Red H6+4 (captures the Horse, check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black C4=5 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black C4=5
5. Red +H-6 (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.
5. Black C5=4 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black C5=4
6. Red H6+8 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black C4=5 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black C4=5
7. Red H8-7 (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.
7. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black K4-1
8. Red H4+6 (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.
8. Black C5=4 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black C5=4
9. Red H6+8 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
9. Red H6+8

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 K5+1
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C8+6. Try it on the board
4. Black C4=5
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+2 instead: Red mates immediately with -H+6. Try it on the board
6. Black C4=5
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+2 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+6. 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 "B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 03"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Horse & Cannon 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 H8+6 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 Horses and Cannon Class, Game 01 Next puzzle: B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 04 →

Nearby puzzles

B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 02
9 moves
B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 01
8 moves
B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 04
5 moves
B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 05
5 moves
B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 06
6 moves
B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 07
6 moves