Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 4

"Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 4" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Cannon & Soldier mates. Red moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is E5+3. 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 Elephant, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Chariot, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red E5+3 (sacrifices the Elephant, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Elephant; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R7+4 (captures the Elephant, threatens mate next move)
1. Black R7+4
2. Red C7=4 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black R7=6
2. Black R7=6
3. Red P4+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.
3. Black K6-1
3. Black K6-1
4. Red P4+1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Red P4+1

Variations and alternative defences

What if Black defends differently? The alternatives below were checked with the rules engine; lines marked with a mating move lose at once, the others are worth trying on the analysis board.

1. Black R7+4
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=4. Try it on the board

Final position

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

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 4"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Cannon & Soldier 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 E5+3 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 3 Next puzzle: Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 5 →

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