Pinning Tactics

"Pinning Tactics" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Pin. Black moves first and wins in 5 moves; the key first move is C5=4. 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, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Black C5=4
Why it works–
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.
1. Red E3+5 (captures the Horse)
1. Red E3+5
2. Black R2+3 (captures the Cannon)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Cannon.
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Red K6=5
2. Red K6=5
3. Black R2+2 (check, the General has no escape square)
Why it works
Takes away the General's escape squares.
What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.
3. Red A5-6
3. Red A5-6
4. Black R2=4 (captures the Advisor, check, threatens mate next move)
Why it works
Wins material: takes the Advisor.
Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
What to watch out for
The Chariot stands where it can be captured.
4. Red K5+1
4. Red K5+1
5. Black P7+1 (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.
5. Black P7+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 E3+5
- If Red plays K6=5 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 E9-7 instead: Black mates immediately with R3+1. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C8=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays C8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Red K6=5
- If Red plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E9-7 instead: Black mates immediately with R3+1. Try it on the board
- If Red plays R6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays R6+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Red plays E5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
3. Red A5-6
- If Red plays E9-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
4. Red K5+1
- If Red plays K5=6 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 "Pinning Tactics"?

Black moves first, as in every puzzle of Pin.

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 C5=4 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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