4. Sacrifice Tactics 116

"4. Sacrifice Tactics 116" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Sacrifice. Black moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is R9=3. 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, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Black R9=3 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 39 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
1. Red R4+4 (captures the Advisor, check, the only legal reply)
1. Red R4+4
2. Black K5+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 33 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Red R4-1 (check)
2. Red R4-1
3. Black K5-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 39 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Red P7+1 (captures the Chariot)
3. Red P7+1
4. Black C5=9 (captures the Soldier)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 42 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Red R4=2
4. Red R4=2
5. Black R1+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 43 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
5. Black R1+1

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 R4+4
- If Red plays R9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays R9+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H8+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H8+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Red R4-1
- If Red plays R9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays R9+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H8+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H8+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Red P7+1
- If Red plays R9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays R9+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H8+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H8+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Red R4=2
- If Red plays R9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays R9+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H8+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays H8+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E7+9 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 116"?

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 R9=3 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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