4. Discovered Check Tactics 410

"4. Discovered Check Tactics 410" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Discovered check. Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is R7=6. 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, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red R7=6 (captures the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Horse.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R3=1 (captures the Chariot)
1. Black R3=1
2. Red C1=5 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black E3+5
2. Black E3+5
3. Red E5+7 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Red E5+7

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 R3=1
- If Black plays R3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays R3+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black E3+5
- If Black plays A4+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays E7+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. Discovered Check Tactics 410"?

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

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 R7=6 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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