Horse and Cannon Class: Standard Positions 1
"Horse and Cannon Class: Standard Positions 1" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Horse & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is C9+8. 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, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Horse, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Horse, a Cannon.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red C9+8Why 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 for1. Black E5-31. Black E5-3 - 2. Red H8+7Why it works
- Wins material: takes the Elephant.
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for- Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black K5=62. Black K5=6 - 3. Red H7-6Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for3. Red H7-6
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.
- 2. Black K5=6
- If Black plays H8-6 instead: Red mates immediately with H7-9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H8+6 instead: Red mates immediately with H7-9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H7-9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H7-9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H7-9. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C8=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H7-9. Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 3 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "Horse and Cannon Class: Standard Positions 1"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Horse & Cannon mates.
How many moves does the solution take?
3 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.
What is the key move?
The first move C9+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
- Horse and Cannon Class, Game 05A
- Horse and Cannon Class, Game 09
- Horse and Cannon Class: Standard Positions 2
More from Horse & Cannon mates →
Languages: English · Tiếng Việt · 简体中文 · 繁體中文