Lone Horse Class, Game 03

"Lone Horse Class, Game 03" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Lone Horse mates. Red moves first and wins in 13 moves; the key first move is K5+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 Horse. Black has a General, a Advisor.

Solution move by move

1. Red K5+1
1. Black K4+1
1. Black K4+1
2. Red H7+6
2. Black A6+5
2. Black A6+5
3. Red H6-4 (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 K4-1
3. Black K4-1
4. Red H4-5 (check)
4. Black K4+1
4. Black K4+1
5. Red H5+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black A5+6
5. Black A5+6
6. Red H3-4
6. Black A6-5
6. Black A6-5
7. Red H4+6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black A5-6
7. Black A5-6
8. Red H6+8 (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.
8. Black A6+5
8. Black A6+5
9. Red H8+7 (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.
9. Black K4-1
9. Black K4-1
10. Red H7-5 (captures the Advisor)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
10. Black K4-1
10. Black K4-1
11. Red H5-6 (threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
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.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
11. Black K4+1
11. Black K4+1
12. Red H6+8 (check, 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.
12. Black K4+1
12. Black K4+1
13. Red K5-1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
13. Red K5-1

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 K4+1
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black A6+5
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black A5+6
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with H3+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black A6-5
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black A5-6
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black K4-1
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black K4+1
- If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with K5+1. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 13 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Lone Horse Class, Game 03"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Lone Horse mates.

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move K5+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: No. 4: Lone Horse Captures Lone Advisor Next puzzle: No. 2: Lone Horse Captures Lone Advisor →

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