Lone Soldier Draws Lone Cannon Class, Game 01

"Lone Soldier Draws Lone Cannon Class, Game 01" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Double Cannon mates. Red moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is C3=4. 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, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red C3=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.
1. Black +A-5
1. Black +A-5
2. Red C4-3 (captures the Soldier, 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.
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black A5+6
2. Black A5+6
3. Red C4-1 (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 -A+5
3. Black -A+5
4. Red A4-5 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Red A4-5

Final position

Red wins after 4 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Lone Soldier Draws Lone Cannon Class, Game 01"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Double Cannon 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 C3=4 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: Two Cannons Class, Game 00 Next puzzle: Lone Soldier Draws Lone Cannon Class, Game 02 →

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