3. Piece-Winning Tactics 68

"3. Piece-Winning Tactics 68" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Winning material. Black moves first and wins in 6 moves; the key first move is R2=3. 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 Chariot, 2 Horses, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Black R2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Red C7=6
1. Red C7=6
2. Black C2+4 (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 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Red C6+2
2. Red C6+2
3. Black R3+1 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Red C6-2
3. Red C6-2
4. Black R3-5 (captures the Soldier, check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Red C6+2
4. Red C6+2
5. Black R3+5 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
5. Red C6-2
5. Red C6-2
6. Black R3-6 (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 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black R3-6

Variations and alternative defences

What if Red 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. Red C7=6
- If Red plays C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays K5=6 instead: Black mates immediately with R3+1. Try it on the board
- If Red plays A5+4 instead: Black mates immediately with C2+4. Try it on the board
- If Red plays A5+6 instead: Black mates immediately with C2+4. Try it on the board
- If Red plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Red C6+2
- If Red plays C6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C6+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C6+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C6+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C6+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Red C6-2
- If Red plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Red C6+2
- If Red plays C6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C6+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C6+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C6+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C6+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Red C6-2
- If Red plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "3. Piece-Winning Tactics 68"?

Black moves first, as in every puzzle of Winning material.

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move R2=3 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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