Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (09)

"Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (09)" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Other mating patterns. Red moves first and wins in 14 moves; the key first move is R6+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, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Horses, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R6+1 (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.
1. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K6+1
2. Red H5-3 (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.
2. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K6+1
3. Red R6-2 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, 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.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
3. Black A5+4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
3. Black A5+4
4. Red H8-6 (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.
4. Black A4-5 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black A4-5
5. Red H3+2 (check)
5. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K6=5
6. Red H6-7 (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.
6. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black K5=4
7. Red P8=7 (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.
7. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black K4-1
8. Red P7+1 (check)
8. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black K4-1
9. Red P7=6 (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.
9. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
9. Black K4=5
10. Red C2=5 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black A5+4
11. Red H7+5 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
11. Black A4-5 (threatens mate next move)
11. Black A4-5
12. Red H5+3 (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.
12. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
12. Black K5=6
13. Red H3-4 (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.
13. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
13. Black K6+1
14. Red P6=5 (captures the Advisor, checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
14. Red P6=5

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.

5. Black K6=5
- If Black plays K6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H6-5. Try it on the board
8. Black K4-1
- If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black A5+4
- If Black plays R1=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with H2-4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black A4-5
- If Black plays R1=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H2-4. Try it on the board

Final position

Red wins after 14 moves. The General has no legal move.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (09)"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R6+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.

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