4. Sacrifice Tactics 109

"4. Sacrifice Tactics 109" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Sacrifice. Black moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is C2+4. 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 Chariots, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Black C2+4
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 41 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Red R7+1 (captures the Horse)
1. Red R7+1
2. Black C2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 41 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Red R7=9
2. Red R7=9
3. Black C3+3 (captures the Elephant, 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.
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
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. Red H5-7 (captures the Cannon)
3. Red H5-7
4. Black C7+8 (captures the Elephant, check)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Elephant.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
4. Red A4+5
4. Red A4+5
5. Black H8+9 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 46 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
5. Black H8+9

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 R7+1
- If Red plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C9+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C9-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Red R7=9
- If Red plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C9+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C9-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Red A4+5
- If Red plays K5+1 instead: Black mates immediately with R2+8. Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "4. Sacrifice Tactics 109"?

Black moves first, as in every puzzle of Sacrifice.

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move C2+4 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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