How do you win with a crossed soldier in the endgame?
These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws for movement, checkmate and both repetition rulings: a side that forces a repetition by perpetual check or perpetual chase loses rather than drawing. The chase half has not been validated against the official casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it before publishing.
Direct answer
Push it toward the palace and give it support. A crossed soldier is worth about double an uncrossed one because it moves sideways, and a soldier standing in the enemy palace covering one escape point is frequently what turns another piece's check into checkmate.
Direction matters more than speed
A soldier on the last rank in a corner can only shuffle sideways and is effectively dead. The same soldier two files inward may be a mating piece. Since soldiers never move backwards, this choice is permanent — decide before you push.
Support it
A soldier that steps next to the enemy general undefended simply gets eaten, because the general captures on adjacent palace points. Bring a chariot or horse to cover it first; an unsupported invasion achieves nothing.
Related questions
Can a soldier and general beat a bare general?
With accurate play, yes, unless the soldier has already reached the last rank. The general has to come up and take part; the soldier does not do it on its own.
Is a crossed soldier worth more than an advisor?
Near the enemy palace it can be. In a defensive endgame the advisor is usually worth more.
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