Horse and Cannon Class, Game 01
"Horse and Cannon 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 H9+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, a Horse, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Horse, a Soldier.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red H9+81. Black K4=5
1. Black K4=5 - 2. Red H8-62. Black K5-1
2. Black K5-1 - 3. Red H6+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.
What to watch out for3. Black K5+13. Black K5+1 - 4. Red C9+6Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for4. Red C9+6
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+5. Try it on the board
- 2. Black K5-1
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C9=6. 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 "Horse and Cannon 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 H9+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.
Nearby puzzles
- A. Two Cannons and Horse Class: Standard Positions 1
- A. Two Cannons and Horse Class: Standard Positions 3
- A. Two Cannons and Horse Class: Standard Positions 4
- Horse and Cannon Class, Game 02
- Horse and Cannon Class, Game 05A
- Horse and Cannon Class, Game 09
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