B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 02

"B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 02" 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 H6+7. 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, 2 Horses, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H6+7 (check)
1. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K4+1
2. Red H7+8 (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.
2. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K4-1
3. Red C9+5 (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.
3. Black E5-3 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black E5-3
4. 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.
4. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K4+1
5. Red H7-5 (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 K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K4+1
6. Red H5-6 (check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black K4=5
7. Red H6+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 K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black K5=6
8. Red H7-5 (check)
8. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K6-1
9. Red H4+2 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
9. Red H4+2

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+1
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+3. Try it on the board
6. Black K4=5
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
8. Black K6-1
- If Black plays K6=5 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 02"?

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 H6+7 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: B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 01 →

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