Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 8

"Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 8" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Cannon & Soldier mates. Red moves first and wins in 9 moves; the key first move is P6+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 Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Elephants.

Solution move by move

1. Red P6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black E1-3
1. Black E1-3
2. Red C1=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black E3+1
2. Black E3+1
3. Red P6=5 (captures the Elephant)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black E1+3
3. Black E1+3
4. Red P5=6 (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.
4. Black K4=5
4. Black K4=5
5. Red K5=4
5. Black K5+1
5. Black K5+1
6. Red C5=6
6. Black E3-1
6. Black E3-1
7. Red C6=8
7. Black E1-3
7. Black E1-3
8. Red C8+2
8. Black K5-1
8. Black K5-1
9. Red P6+1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
9. Red P6+1

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 4 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 8: E3+5 9. K4=5 Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 4: 4. P5+1 E3-5 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 3: K4+1 4. C5=8 E1-3 5. C8+2 K4-1 6. P5=6 Try it on the board
Variation 4, from move 1: E1+3 2. C1=6+ Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 9 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 8"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P6+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 7 Next puzzle: Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 9 →

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