4. Sacrifice Tactics 110

"4. Sacrifice Tactics 110" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Sacrifice. Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is R4=5. 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, a Chariot, 2 Horses, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Horses, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R4=5 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R8=7 (captures the Horse)
1. Black R8=7
2. Red R5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black C2-1
2. Black C2-1
3. Red H7+5
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Red H7+5

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 R8=7
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C8+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C8+5. Try it on the board
2. Black C2-1
- If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C8+5. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C2-3 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 110"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Sacrifice.

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 R4=5 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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