Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 9

"Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 9" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Cannon & Soldier mates. Red moves first and wins in 11 moves; the key first move is C7+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, 2 Advisors, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Horse, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red C7+1 (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.
1. Black H2-3
1. Black H2-3
2. Red K5=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black P1=2
2. Black P1=2
3. Red C7-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black H3+2
3. Black H3+2
4. Red A4+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P2=1
4. Black P2=1
5. Red C7=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black P1+1
5. Black P1+1
6. Red C8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P1+1
6. Black P1+1
7. Red C7=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 P1+1
7. Black P1+1
8. Red K4-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black H2-3
8. Black H2-3
9. Red C3=9 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black H3+2
9. Black H3+2
10. Red C9=6 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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 for
Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
10. Black H2+4 (captures the Cannon)
10. Black H2+4
11. Red A5-6 (captures the Horse, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
11. Red A5-6

Variations and alternative defences

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

Variation 1, from move 7: H2-3 8. C3=6+ H3+4 9. A5-4 P1=2 10. K4=5 P2=3 11. C6=5 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 4: P2+1 5. C7+1 P2=3 6. C7=6# Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 11 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 9"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Cannon & 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 C7+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: Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 8

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