4. Sacrifice Tactics 107

"4. Sacrifice Tactics 107" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Sacrifice. Red moves first and wins in 20 moves; the key first move is P9+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, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red P9+1 (sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black P1+1 (captures the Soldier)
1. Black P1+1
2. Red P7+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black P1+1
2. Black P1+1
3. Red C9-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Black P1+1
3. Black P1+1
4. Red C9=3 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black E7+9
4. Black E7+9
5. Red P7+1 (captures the Horse, sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black C6=3 (captures the Soldier)
5. Black C6=3
6. Red C3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
6. Black P1+1
6. Black P1+1
7. Red A6+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
7. Black P1=2
7. Black P1=2
8. Red K5=6
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
8. Black C3+3
8. Black C3+3
9. Red P1+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
9. Black C3=4
9. Black C3=4
10. Red C3-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
10. Black P2+1
10. Black P2+1
11. Red C5-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
11. Black K5=4
11. Black K5=4
12. Red A5+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
12. Black C4+4
12. Black C4+4
13. Red E3+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
13. Black P2=3 (check, the only legal reply)
13. Black P2=3
14. Red K6=5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
14. Black E9-7
14. Black E9-7
15. Red P1+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
15. Black A5+6
15. Black A5+6
16. Red P1=2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
16. Black E7+9
16. Black E7+9
17. Red P2+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
17. Black -A+5
17. Black -A+5
18. Red C3=1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
18. Black E9-7
18. Black E9-7
19. Red P2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
19. Black K4+1
19. Black K4+1
20. Red P3=4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
20. Red P3=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 P1+1
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black P1+1
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Black P1+1
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Black E7+9
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
5. Black C6=3
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E9-7 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+8. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
6. Black P1+1
- If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E9-7 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+7. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
7. Black P1=2
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E9-7 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+7. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
8. Black C3+3
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E9-7 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+7. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
9. Black C3=4
- If Black plays P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
10. Black P2+1
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
11. Black K5=4
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
12. Black C4+4
- If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
13. Black P2=3
- If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
14. Black E9-7
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
15. Black A5+6
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
16. Black E7+9
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
17. Black -A+5
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
18. Black E9-7
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
19. Black K4+1
- If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=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 "4. Sacrifice Tactics 107"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Sacrifice.

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P9+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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