No. 5: Two Horses Win by Rule vs Horse and Two Elephants (2)

"No. 5: Two Horses Win by Rule vs Horse and Two Elephants (2)" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Double Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is H2+3. 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, 2 Horses. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Horse.

Solution move by move

1. Red H2+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black E3+5
1. Black E3+5
2. Red K6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black E5+3
2. Black E5+3
3. Red H4+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black E3-5
3. Black E3-5
4. Red -H+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Red -H+1

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 H6-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-4 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black E5+3
- If Black plays E5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6-4 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+6. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H6+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black E3-5
- If Black plays E3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "No. 5: Two Horses Win by Rule vs Horse and Two Elephants (2)"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Double Horse 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 H2+3 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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