Horse and Soldier Class, Game 07

"Horse and Soldier Class, Game 07" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Horse & Soldier mates. Red moves first and wins in 11 moves; the key first move is P3+1. 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 Horse, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red P3+1 (check)
1. Black K6-1
1. Black K6-1
2. Red P3+1 (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.
2. Black K6=5
2. Black K6=5
3. Red H2-4 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black C3-1
3. Black C3-1
4. Red H4+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.
4. Black C3=4
4. Black C3=4
5. Red H6-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black P8=7
5. Black P8=7
6. Red H7+8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P7=6
6. Black P7=6
7. Red H8+6 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
7. Black P6=5
7. Black P6=5
8. Red H6-7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black P5+1
8. Black P5+1
9. Red H7-6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black A5+4
9. Black A5+4
10. Red H6-4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P5+1
10. Black P5+1
11. 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.
11. Red H4-3

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 5 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 8: A5+4 9. H7-6 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 6: C4+4 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 6: C4+5 7. H8-6 C4=5 8. H6+7# Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 5: 5. H6-8 P8=7 6. H8+7 P7=6 7. H7-6 P6=5 8. H6-5 A5+6 Try it on the board
Variation 5, from move 5: 5. H6-4 C4=3 6. H4+2 C3+3 7. H2+1 C3-3 Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Horse and Soldier Class, Game 07"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P3+1 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: Horse and Soldier Class, Game 06 Next puzzle: Horse and Soldier Class, Game 08 →

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