How do you checkmate with a single chariot?
These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws and is regression-tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it against the engine before publishing.
Direct answer
Three steps. Bring your own general up so it holds the file the enemy general would escape to — this is the step people forget and the mate does not work without it. Drive the enemy general to the edge of its palace with the chariot. Then cover the points it has left and check once.
Why your general is essential
A chariot alone controls one rank and one file. The palace is nine points, so a chariot cannot cover the escape and give check simultaneously. Your general denies a whole file for free — it is the second attacker, and without it the same position is just a check.
Do not check at random
Aimless checks push the general to better points and burn the sixty-move count. Take the escape points first, then check once. With accurate play this takes a handful of moves, not thirty.
Related questions
How many moves should it take?
A few, with accurate play. The sixty-move rule is never a problem if you know the technique.
What if they still have an advisor?
Considerably harder, and against two advisors and two elephants it is a draw.
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