13. Pinning Tactics 426

"13. Pinning Tactics 426" is a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tactic from the collection Pin. Red moves first and wins in 3 moves; the key first move is C8=7. 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, 2 Cannons, 4 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. Red C8=7
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
1. Black R3=2
1. Black R3=2
2. Red R6+2
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
2. Black C3-1
2. Black C3-1
3. Red C5=8
Why it works–
What to watch out for
Not forcing: the defender has 35 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
3. Red C5=8

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=2
- If Black plays E3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
2. Black C3-1
- If Black plays E3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays P9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
- If Black plays H2-3 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 426"?

Red moves first, as in every puzzle of Pin.

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 C8=7 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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