Horse and Cannon Class, Game 05A

"Horse and Cannon Class, Game 05A" 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 C7=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, 2 Elephants, a Horse, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C7=6 (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.
1. Black C4+5 (captures the Advisor, threatens mate next move)
1. Black C4+5
2. 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.
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, sacrifices the Horse, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
4. Black K4+1 (captures the Horse, threatens mate next move)
4. Black K4+1
5. Red C6-3 (captures the Soldier, check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
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 C4=2
5. Black C4=2
6. Red A5+6 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Red A5+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.

5. Black C4=2
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with A5+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with A5+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 "Horse and Cannon Class, Game 05A"?

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 C7=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.

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