4. Sacrifice Tactics 114

"4. Sacrifice Tactics 114" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Sacrifice. Black moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is H6+4. 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, 2 Horses, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Black H6+4 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
1. Red R8-3 (captures the Cannon)
1. Red R8-3
2. Black H4-5 (captures the Soldier, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)
Why it works
Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
2. Red K4=5
2. Red K4=5
3. Black H5+3 (check)
3. Red K5=4
3. Red K5=4
4. Black H3+4 (check)
4. Black H3+4

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 R8-3
- If Red plays E7+5 instead: Black mates immediately with H4-5. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H4-5 instead: Black mates immediately with H4-5. Try it on the board
3. Red K5=4
- If Red plays K5=6 instead: Black mates immediately with R7=4. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H4-6 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 114"?

Black moves first, as in every puzzle of Sacrifice.

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move H6+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.

← Previous puzzle: 4. Sacrifice Tactics 115 Next puzzle: 4. Sacrifice Tactics 113 →