B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 01

"B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 01" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Horse & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 8 moves; the key first move is H8+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, 2 Horses, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H8+7 (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.
1. Black K5=4
1. Black K5=4
2. Red C4=6 (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.
2. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black A5+4
3. Red H6+4 (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 A4-5 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black A4-5
4. Red H4+6 (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.
4. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black A5+4
5. Red H6+4 (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.
5. Black A4-5 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black A4-5
6. Red H7-6 (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.
6. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black A5+4
7. Red H6-8 (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.
7. Black A4-5 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black A4-5
8. Red H8+7 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Red H8+7

Final position

Red wins after 8 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 01"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H8+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.

← Previous puzzle: B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 02 Next puzzle: B. Two Horses and Cannon Class, Game 03 →

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