B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 06

"B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 06" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Horse & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 6 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.

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Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Advisors, a Horse, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Horse, 2 Cannons, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red H8+6 (check)
1. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K5=6
2. Red C5+5 (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.
2. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black A5+4
3. Red C5+2 (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 +A-5 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black +A-5
4. Red H6+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.
4. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black A5+4
5. Red H5-4 (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 +A-5 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black +A-5
6. Red H4+2 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. 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 K5=6
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=6. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 6 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 06"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

6 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 Cannons and Horse Class, Game 05 Next puzzle: B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 07 →

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