Two Horses Class, Game 2
"Two Horses Class, Game 2" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Lone Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 7 moves; the key first move is -H+7. 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 Horses. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Horse, 2 Soldiers.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red -H+71. Black K4-1
1. Black K4-1 - 2. Red H7+82. Black K4=5
2. Black K4=5 - 3. Red H9+7Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for3. Black K5=43. Black K5=4 - 4. Red H7-5Why it works
- Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out for4. Black K4=54. Black K4=5 - 5. Red H5+7Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for5. Black K5=45. Black K5=4 - 6. Red H7-6Why it works
- Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for6. Black K4+16. Black K4+1 - 7. Red H6+8Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for7. Red H6+8
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 K4-1
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 2. Black K4=5
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H9-7. Try it on the board
- 4. Black K4=5
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H5-7. Try it on the board
- 6. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 7 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "Two Horses Class, Game 2"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Lone Horse mates.
How many moves does the solution take?
7 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.
What is the key move?
The first move -H+7 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.
Nearby puzzles
- Two Horses Class, Game 4
- Two Horses Class, Game 1
- No. 18: Lone Horse vs Lone Soldier (6)
- No. 17: Lone Horse vs Lone Soldier (5)
- Lone Horse Class, Game 16
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