Other Mating Techniques: Standard Positions 1

"Other Mating Techniques: Standard Positions 1" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Other mating patterns. Red moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is P3=4. 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, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red P3=4 (check)
1. Black K5=4
1. Black K5=4
2. Red -P=5 (sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black R8=5 (captures the Soldier)
2. Black R8=5
3. Red P4=5 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
3. Black -A+5 (captures the Soldier)
3. Black -A+5
4. Red C5=6 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Red C5=6

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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black R8=5
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black -A+5
- If Black plays R5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=6. 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 "Other Mating Techniques: Standard Positions 1"?

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

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 P3=4 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: A. Other Mating Techniques: Standard Positions 2

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