Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (10)

"Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (10)" 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 C1+7. 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 Horse, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red C1+7 (check, 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.
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.
1. Black E7+9 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black E7+9
2. Red H2+3 (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 K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K6+1
3. Red H3-4 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
The Horse stands where it can be captured.
3. Black P5=6
3. Black P5=6
4. Red H4+2 (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 for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black P6=5 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black P6=5
5. Red C1-1 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Red C1-1

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.

3. Black P5=6
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P5=4. Try it on the board
4. Black P6=5
- If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1-1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C1-1. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: Red mates immediately with C1-1. 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 "Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (10)"?

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 C1+7 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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