B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 05

"B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 05" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Horse & Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is H3+5. 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, a Horse, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse.

Solution move by move

1. Red H3+5 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Black E3+5 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black E3+5
2. Red H5+7 (check)
2. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K5=6
3. Red H7+6 (captures the Advisor, 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.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K6+1
4. Red C6+3 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black E5-3 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black E5-3
5. Red C5+2 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Red C5+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 E3+5
- If Black plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black K5=6
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=6. Try it on the board
4. Black E5-3
- If Black plays E5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with C5+2. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E5+3 instead: Red mates immediately with C5+2. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 5 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 05"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H3+5 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.

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