3. Piece-Winning Tactics 72

"3. Piece-Winning Tactics 72" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Winning material. Black moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is P4+1. Below you will find the full solution, what each move achieves, where it could go wrong, and the alternative defences.

Solve this puzzle on ChessZing →

Free, in the browser, no download.

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Black P4+1 (check)
1. Red K4+1
1. Red K4+1
2. Black R8+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Red A5-6 (captures the Soldier)
2. Red A5-6
3. Black C1=7 (captures the Elephant)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black C1=7

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 K4+1
- If Red plays H3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Red A5-6
- If Red plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays A5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E5+3 instead: Black mates immediately with R8=7. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays P1+1 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 72"?

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

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P4+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.

← Previous puzzle: 3. Piece-Winning Tactics 73 Next puzzle: 3. Piece-Winning Tactics 71 →