Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (05)

"Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (05)" 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 R4+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, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red R4+1 (captures the Cannon, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
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 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 K5=4 (threatens mate next move)
2. Black K5=4
3. Red C5=6 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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 for
Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
3. Black +R=4 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)
3. Black +R=4
4. Red R8+4 (captures the Chariot, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Chariot.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)
4. Black K4+1
5. Red R8-1 (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.
5. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)
5. Black K4-1
6. Red R4+2 (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.
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.
6. Black A5-6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)
6. Black A5-6
7. Red H3-5 (captures the Elephant, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
7. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)
7. Black K4=5
8. Red C1+4 (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.
8. Black A6+5 (threatens mate next move)
8. Black A6+5
9. Red R8+1 (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.
9. Black A5-4 (threatens mate next move)
9. Black A5-4
10. Red H5+3 (check)
10. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)
10. Black K5=6
11. Red R8=6 (captures the Advisor, 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.
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
11. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
11. Black K6+1
12. Red C1-1 (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.
12. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)
12. Black K6+1
13. Red R6=4 (checkmate)
Why it works
Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
13. Red R6=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 K6=5
- If Black plays A5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black K4+1
- If Black plays E5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black K4=5
- If Black plays A4-5 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+4. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black K5=6
- If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-1. 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 (05)"?

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 R4+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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