Discovered Attack Tactics

"Discovered Attack Tactics" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Discovered attack. Red moves first and wins in 2 moves; the key first move is P5+1. 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, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Horses, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red P5+1 (sacrifices the Soldier)
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black P5+1 (captures the Soldier)
1. Black P5+1
2. Red C3=9 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Soldier.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 35 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
2. Red C3=9

Variations and alternative defences

The source manual records 3 variations. Each branch starts from the move number shown.

Variation 1, from move 1: C5+2 2. C3=5+ Try it on the board
Variation 2, from move 1: H4-3 2. P3=4 R6-1 3. P5+1 R6+2 4. P5+1 H6+5 5. H3+5 R6-1 6. H7+5 Try it on the board
Variation 3, from move 1: H4+3 2. P5=4 R6-2 3. C3=9 E3-1 4. H7+6 A5+4 5. C9=5+ -A+5 6. P4+1 H3-4 7. P3+1 H4-6 8. P3=4 R6=7 9. H3+4 Try it on the board

Final position

The record ends here.

Questions about this puzzle

Who moves first in "Discovered Attack Tactics"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Discovered attack.

How many moves does the solution take?

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

What is the key move?

The first move P5+1 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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