Xiangqi Puzzle Challenge S4 - Three Kingdoms | Chinese Chess

Complete the climb with Season 4: Three Kingdoms - 60 curated endgame puzzles from Tiantian Xiangqi. The final season of the puzzle challenge series.

Season 4 of the puzzle challenge — Three Kingdoms — is the final season of the series, built for expert players who have conquered the first three seasons. Each level is a carefully selected xiangqi endgame puzzle: you play Red and must win to unlock the next one. Black pieces are controlled by AI, giving you a real opponent to crack. Start at the bottom of the mountain and climb your way up through 60 levels. Complete all levels and your puzzle journey is complete.

Author: Sachess Editorial Team · Updated: 2026-07-16 · 0 Sources

Highlights

  • Season 4: 60 puzzles sourced from the curated Tiantian Xiangqi library.
  • You always play Red — winning is the only way to advance.
  • Black moves are played by Pikafish engine at a consistent search depth.
  • Mountain-style level map shows completed levels at a glance.
  • Every level can be shared with friends for help.

Steps

01

Enter the challenge page and see the mountain level map. Start from Level 1.

02

Tap an unlocked level — the board loads with the preset puzzle. You play Red.

03

After your move, AI responds automatically. Keep playing until the game ends.

04

If you win, a celebration popup unlocks the next level. If you lose, retry or share with friends.

05

Return to the map and see the completed node turn green. Keep climbing.

Details

Who is the puzzle challenge for

Whether you are new to xiangqi or an experienced player looking to sharpen your tactical skills, the puzzle challenge has content for you. Early levels are straightforward, helping beginners experience basic mating patterns. As you climb higher, the puzzles demand precise move-by-move calculation.

For experienced players, puzzle climbing is an efficient training method — each puzzle has a clear win/loss goal, unlike full games where you must navigate opening, middlegame, and endgame phases. You can focus on specific types of positions and build endgame intuition gradually.

If your chess time comes in short gaps, a puzzle is a useful ten-minute training unit. Before moving, describe the two generals, the critical pieces, and the most urgent threat in your own words; this review habit prevents attention from narrowing to the first available capture.

The format also works well for lessons and discussion with friends. Calculate alone first, then compare candidate first moves and continuations. Even when you miss the best line, noting the defensive resource you overlooked turns that failed attempt into a reusable pattern.

  • Beginners start with simple tactics and progress naturally.
  • Advanced players practice precise calculation and forcing lines.
  • Each level focuses on one position — higher training density.

Puzzle tips

The key to puzzle solving is calculation, not intuition. First, survey all piece positions on both sides. Then identify what attacking resources Red has and what defensive resources Black has. Do not rush the first move — try to visualize several moves ahead.

If you get stuck on a level, share the link with a friend to see their approach, then return to the board and try different move orders. Many puzzle solutions hinge on move sequencing — the same moves in the wrong order may fail to win.

Start practical calculation by listing two or three candidates: a check, a capture of a key defender, a pin, or control of an important square. For each one, seek Black's strongest reply instead of only following the variation you hope to see: checks, exchanges, king escapes, and counterplay all matter.

After the game, review the final position and identify the move that removed the defence or made one piece decisive. Writing the critical line in coordinates or Chinese notation makes familiar rook, horse-cannon, pawn, and endgame patterns easier to spot when they return in a future puzzle.

  • Calculate before you move — do not rely on intuition.
  • Move order matters — wrong sequencing can turn a win into a draw.
  • When stuck, share with friends to see different approaches.

FAQ

Where do the Season 4 puzzles come from

Season 4 puzzle positions are sourced from the curated Tiantian Xiangqi (Daily Chess) endgame library, 60 levels total.

Why must I play Red

The challenge is designed so that winning as Red is the goal. This keeps every level focused on a clear objective.

How strong is the AI

By default, the AI searches to depth 20 with a 1-second move-time limit — strong enough for most puzzle positions. Parameters are adjustable in code.

Are my completion records saved

Yes, your progress is saved in your browser local storage. It persists as long as you use the same browser and device.

Is Season 4 the final season

Yes, Season 4: Three Kingdoms is the final season of the puzzle challenge. Completing all 60 levels means you have beaten all 300 puzzles across all 4 seasons — congratulations!

Sources

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