Two Horses Class, Game 1
"Two Horses Class, Game 1" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Lone Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is H4+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, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Horses. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier.
Solution move by move
- 1. Red H4+31. Black K6-1
1. Black K6-1 - 2. Red H3+22. Black K6=5
2. Black K6=5 - 3. Red H1+3Why it works
- Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for3. Black K5=63. Black K5=6 - 4. Red H3-5Why it works
- Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out for4. Black K6=54. Black K6=5 - 5. Red H5+7Why it works
- Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out for5. Red H5+7
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 K6-1
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- 2. Black K6=5
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H1-3. Try it on the board
- 4. Black K6=5
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H5-3. Try it on the board
Final position
Red wins after 5 moves. The General has no legal move.
Questions about this puzzle
Who moves first in "Two Horses Class, Game 1"?
Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Lone Horse mates.
How many moves does the solution take?
5 moves. The main line is shown above; alternative defences are covered in the variations section.
What is the key move?
The first move H4+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.
Nearby puzzles
- Two Horses Class, Game 4
- Two Horses Class, Game 2
- No. 18: Lone Horse vs Lone Soldier (6)
- No. 17: Lone Horse vs Lone Soldier (5)
- Lone Horse Class, Game 16
- Lone Horse Class, Game 15
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