3. Piece-Winning Tactics 76

"3. Piece-Winning Tactics 76" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Winning material. Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is C8+3. 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, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. Red C8+3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black H7+6
1. Black H7+6
2. Red C8+2 (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.
2. Black A4+5
2. Black A4+5
3. Red R3=1 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Red R3=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.

1. Black H7+6
- If Black plays E3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H7+8 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 76"?

Red 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 C8+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.

Next puzzle: 3. Piece-Winning Tactics 75 →