13. Pinning Tactics

"13. Pinning Tactics" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Pin. Black moves first and wins in 4 moves; the key first move is C2=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, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Black C2=3
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 49 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Red R2+2
1. Red R2+2
2. Black C6+1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 55 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
The Cannon stands where it can be captured.
2. Red C6=7
2. Red C6=7
3. Black H1+3 (captures the Cannon, sacrifices the Horse)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 51 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Red C7+4 (captures the Horse)
3. Red C7+4
4. Black R4-1
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 47 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
4. Black R4-1

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 R2+2
- If Red plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Red C6=7
- If Red plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Red C7+4
- If Red plays E7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays A5-4 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 "13. Pinning Tactics"?

Black moves first, as in every puzzle of Pin.

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 C2=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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