4. Sacrifice Tactics 112

"4. Sacrifice Tactics 112" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Sacrifice. Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is H5+7. 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, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red H5+7 (check, sacrifices the Horse, 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.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
1. Black E5+3 (captures the Horse)
1. Black E5+3
2. Red C2-2 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Black E7-5
2. Black E7-5
3. Red P4=5 (captures the Advisor, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Red P4=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.

2. Black E7-5
- If Black plays E3-5 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 112"?

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 H5+7 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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