The fishing horse is a "horse locks the square, chariot or cannon finishes" mate. Instead of charging into the palace like the crouching horse, it hooks the general's sideways escapes and lets another piece strike the final blow.

1. What it is

The fishing horse lands on a square that controls the enemy general's sideways movement. Its properties:

  • the square is usually outside the palace, but the control is very strong;
  • the general is left with only limited vertical movement;
  • it sets up checks from the front or the rib file by chariot or cannon.

2. The mating structure

The fishing horse rarely mates alone; typical partners:

  • chariot — checks from the front or the rib file while the general cannot run sideways;
  • cannon — controls from a distance and seals the other escape;
  • soldier — in the endgame, closes the general's last exit.

3. A typical sequence

  1. The red horse lands on the controlling square, hooking the black general's sideways escapes;
  2. The red chariot checks down a line, and the general can only move vertically;
  3. Red adds one more piece to cover the vertical escape, and the general is mated.

The order matters: get the horse in place first, then open the line for the chariot or cannon.

4. How to defend

  • Control the horse's landing square by covering it in advance;
  • Block the horse leg so the move cannot be played at all;
  • Move the general to the other side before the control is established;
  • Trade the horse — it is the only key piece, so exchanging it removes the threat.

5. How to practise

Set up horse and chariot against a lone general and drill the order: horse to the controlling square, then the chariot closes the door. Then give the defender advisors and work out how to use the cannon to cut off the reinforcing squares.

Read next: the crouching horse and chariot-horse quiet move guides.