Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (02)

"Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (02)" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) puzzle from the collection Other mating patterns. Red moves first and wins in 13 moves; the key first move is R3=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, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R3=4 (check)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)
1. Black K6=5
2. Red R4=5 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
2. Black A6-5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
2. Black A6-5
3. Red H2+4 (check)
3. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
3. Black K5=4
4. Red R7=6 (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.
4. Black C3=4 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black C3=4
5. Red R6+5 (captures the Cannon, 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 Cannon.
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.
5. Black A5+4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
5. Black A5+4
6. Red C5=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.
6. Black A4-5 (threatens mate next move)
6. Black A4-5
7. Red P5=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.
7. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black A5+4
8. Red P6=7 (captures the Elephant, 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.
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
8. Black A4-5 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black A4-5
9. Red P7=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.
9. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
9. Black A5+4
10. Red P6=5 (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.
10. Black A4-5 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black A4-5
11. Red H7+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.
11. Black A5+4 (threatens mate next move)
11. Black A5+4
12. Red H6-8 (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.
12. Black A4-5 (threatens mate next move)
12. Black A4-5
13. Red H8+7 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
13. Red H8+7

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 K6=5
- If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=4. Try it on the board
2. Black A6-5
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black K5=4
- If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=4. Try it on the board
4. Black C3=4
- If Black plays A5+4 instead: Red mates immediately with R6+5. 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 "Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (02)"?

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

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 R3=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.

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