A. Other Mating Techniques: Standard Positions 6

"A. Other Mating Techniques: Standard Positions 6" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Other mating patterns. Red moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is P4=5. 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, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red P4=5 (captures the Advisor, check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
The Soldier stands where it can be captured.
1. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K5=4
2. Red P5+1 (check, 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.
2. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K4+1
3. Red C2+2 (check, 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.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Black A6+5 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black A6+5
4. Red P6+1 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
4. Black K4+1 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
4. Black K4+1
5. Red H3-4 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Red H3-4

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 K5=4
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+2. 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 "A. Other Mating Techniques: Standard Positions 6"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Other mating patterns.

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 P4=5 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.

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