Lone Soldier Draws Lone Cannon Class, Game 02

"Lone Soldier Draws Lone Cannon Class, Game 02" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Double Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 17 moves; the key first move is C5=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, a Advisor, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors.

Solution move by move

1. Red C5=6
1. Black K4=5
1. Black K4=5
2. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black K5=6
2. Black K5=6
3. Red C6=4 (check, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black K6=5
3. Black K6=5
4. Red A5+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black K5=6
4. Black K5=6
5. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black K6=5
5. Black K6=5
6. Red C4+7 (captures the Advisor)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
6. Black K5=4
6. Black K5=4
7. Red C4=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black K4+1
7. Black K4+1
8. Red C3-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black K4-1
8. Black K4-1
9. Red C3=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black K4+1
9. Black K4+1
10. Red A4-5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black K4-1
10. Black K4-1
11. Red A5+6 (check)
11. Black K4=5
11. Black K4=5
12. Red C6=5
12. Black K5=6
12. Black K5=6
13. Red C5+8 (captures the Advisor)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
13. Black K6=5
13. Black K6=5
14. Red C5-5
14. Black K5=4
14. Black K5=4
15. Red C5=4 (the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
15. Black K4+1
15. Black K4+1
16. Red C4-3 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
16. Black K4-1
16. Black K4-1
17. Red C4=6 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
17. Red C4=6

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 2 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 2: A5-6 3. C6=4 -A+5 4. A5+4 K5=6 5. K6=5 K6=5 6. C4+7 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 1: K4+1 2. A5+6+ A5+4 3. C6+1 K4-1 4. C6+6 Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 17 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Lone Soldier Draws Lone Cannon Class, Game 02"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C5=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: Lone Soldier Draws Lone Cannon Class, Game 01 Next puzzle: Lone Soldier Draws Lone Cannon Class: Standard Positions 3 →

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