---
title: "The Best Way to Drill Basic Xiangqi Checkmates · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Set up each material combination against a bare general and mate it repeatedly from different starting positions until it takes only a few moves."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-drill-basic-checkmates
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# What is the best way to drill basic checkmates?

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
>
> **Set up each winning material combination against a bare general and mate it repeatedly, from different starting positions, until it takes only a handful of moves every time.** This is an afternoon's work per combination, and it is what turns a technically won endgame into one you actually convert at the board.

## Start with the chariot

A single chariot forces mate against a bare general and is the simplest technique to learn, built entirely around [bringing your own general up to hold a file](https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/how-do-i-mate-with-a-chariot). Drill it from several different starting positions of the enemy general, not just one, before moving on.

## Add the harder combinations once the basics are automatic

Cannon and advisor, then horse and soldier, then the two-horse mate, each add their own complication. Do not move to the next one until the previous mate takes only a few moves without hesitation.

## Related questions

How long does this take overall?

A handful of focused sessions covers the material table that actually comes up in real games.

Is drilling against a computer good enough?

Yes, particularly for this purpose. A computer holding a bare general or a simple defence is an easy way to repeat a mate until it is automatic.

## Related xiangqi resources

Basic checkmates

Mating with ordinary material

Play the computer

Four difficulty levels, no account needed

Tactics puzzles

One right idea per position

## Try it on a real board

Reading an answer is one thing; playing it is another. Free, instant, and nothing to install.