Discovered Attack Tactics

"Discovered Attack Tactics" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Discovered attack. Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is H6+8. 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, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red H6+8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 40 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black C4=6
1. Black C4=6
2. Red H8+7 (captures the Horse, sacrifices the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black E5+3 (captures the Horse)
2. Black E5+3
3. Red H7-5 (threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 33 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 C4=6
- If Black plays C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays C4-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black E5+3
- If Black plays +C=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays +C+2 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 "Discovered Attack Tactics"?

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

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 H6+8 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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