WikiAdmin: Comprehensive editorial revision: clarify definitions and classical continuation, correct tactical prose, tighten sourcing, remove research commentary, fix references; retain six boards.

2026-10-02T19:18:54Z

Comprehensive editorial revision: clarify definitions and classical continuation, correct tactical prose, tighten sourcing, remove research commentary, fix references; retain six boards.

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WikiAdmin: Add Chinese Chess Out Loud course video (Every Basic Kill in Xiangqi Explained): Tian Tian Xiangqi level-3 syllabus and the seven Repatriation of the Buddha examples at 3:15:14

2026-10-02T15:25:32Z

Add Chinese Chess Out Loud course video (Every Basic Kill in Xiangqi Explained): Tian Tian Xiangqi level-3 syllabus and the seven Repatriation of the Buddha examples at 3:15:14

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:25, 2 October 2026
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	'''Repatriation of the Buddha''' (simplified Chinese: <span lang="zh-Hans">送佛归殿</span>; traditional Chinese: <span lang="zh-Hant">送佛歸殿</span>) is one of the standard basic checkmate methods (<span lang="zh">基本杀法</span>) of xiangqi.<ref name="png-445">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Repatriation of the Buddha Checkmate", pp. 445–446. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref><ref name="wxf23">World Xiangqi Federation and Chinese Xiangqi Association. ''[https://www.scribd.com/document/62568255/Basic-Xiangqi-Checkmates Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods]''. Chapter II "Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods", §23 "Repatriation of Buddha Checkmate", figs. 97–99 (digitised copy, pp. 76–78).</ref><ref name="zhwiki">Chinese Wikipedia. "[https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%80%81%E4%BD%9B%E6%AD%B8%E6%AE%BF 送佛歸殿]" [Repatriation of the Buddha]. Accessed 2 October 2026.</ref> A soldier (<span lang="zh">兵</span> or <span lang="zh">卒</span>), usually with a cannon behind it, advances with check again and again and drives the opposing general (<span lang="zh">将</span> or <span lang="zh">帅</span>) back until it is mated; the combination normally opens with a chariot or a horse sacrificed to expose the general.<ref name="png-445" /><ref name="wxf23" /><ref name="s001">360百科 (baike.so.com). "[https://baike.so.com/doc/2662083-2811088.html 送佛归殿]" [Repatriation of the Buddha]. 2022-07-20.</ref><ref name="s029">qq631213796 (2017-06-16). "[https://jingyan.baidu.com/article/aa6a2c143ba5590d4c19c490.html 中国象棋杀法——送佛归殿]" [Chinese xiangqi mating methods: Repatriation of the Buddha]. 百度经验 (jingyan.baidu.com).</ref>		'''Repatriation of the Buddha''' (simplified Chinese: <span lang="zh-Hans">送佛归殿</span>; traditional Chinese: <span lang="zh-Hant">送佛歸殿</span>) is one of the standard basic checkmate methods (<span lang="zh">基本杀法</span>) of xiangqi.<ref name="png-445">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Repatriation of the Buddha Checkmate", pp. 445–446. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref><ref name="wxf23">World Xiangqi Federation and Chinese Xiangqi Association. ''[https://www.scribd.com/document/62568255/Basic-Xiangqi-Checkmates Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods]''. Chapter II "Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods", §23 "Repatriation of Buddha Checkmate", figs. 97–99 (digitised copy, pp. 76–78).</ref><ref name="zhwiki">Chinese Wikipedia. "[https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%80%81%E4%BD%9B%E6%AD%B8%E6%AE%BF 送佛歸殿]" [Repatriation of the Buddha]. Accessed 2 October 2026.</ref> A soldier (<span lang="zh">兵</span> or <span lang="zh">卒</span>), usually with a cannon behind it, advances with check again and again and drives the opposing general (<span lang="zh">将</span> or <span lang="zh">帅</span>) back until it is mated; the combination normally opens with a chariot or a horse sacrificed to expose the general.<ref name="png-445" /><ref name="wxf23" /><ref name="s001">360百科 (baike.so.com). "[https://baike.so.com/doc/2662083-2811088.html 送佛归殿]" [Repatriation of the Buddha]. 2022-07-20.</ref><ref name="s029">qq631213796 (2017-06-16). "[https://jingyan.baidu.com/article/aa6a2c143ba5590d4c19c490.html 中国象棋杀法——送佛归殿]" [Chinese xiangqi mating methods: Repatriation of the Buddha]. 百度经验 (jingyan.baidu.com).</ref>

	The technique is a settled item in published xiangqi literature rather than a curiosity of online instruction. ''Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods'', issued by the World Xiangqi Federation and the Chinese Xiangqi Association, lists it as method 23 of the twenty-six basic checkmates in its second chapter and devotes three worked games to it.<ref name="wxf23" /> Jim Png Hau Cheng's ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English'' gives it its own headword and cross-references it from two related entries.<ref name="png-445" /><ref name="png-413">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Pawn Funeral Checkmate", pp. 413–414. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref><ref name="png-416">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Pawn Triple Advancement Attack", p. 416. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref> Chinese Wikipedia carries a dedicated article for <span lang="zh">送佛歸殿</span>.<ref name="zhwiki" /> Chinese-language teaching material presents it as one numbered item in a basic-mate syllabus,<ref name="s011">象棋-老云 (2020-03-14). "[https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV13E411V715 基本杀法第30课：送佛归殿]" [Basic mating methods, lesson 30: Repatriation of the Buddha]. 哔哩哔哩 (bilibili.com). Title and cover only.</ref><ref name="s013">爱下棋的冉帅 (2025-05-27). "[https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1NajdzoEBU 象棋34种基础杀法之三进兵]" [34 basic mating methods: Three Soldier Advances]. 哔哩哔哩 (bilibili.com).</ref><ref name="s054">竞阳体育 (2020-12-25). "[https://k.sina.com.cn/article_7507480051_1bf7b0df300100ycft.html 象棋百科启智初步，如何练习杀棋，学习杀法杀着有什么好方法吗？]" [Xiangqi encyclopedia primer: how to practise mating]. 新浪看点 (k.sina.com.cn).</ref> and it appears in the online course and puzzle banks of Tencent's ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'' (<span lang="zh">天天象棋</span>) application, whose endgame-challenge level 79 is solved with it.<ref name="ttx">Tencent. "[https://qqgame.qq.com/app/gamedetail_11500.shtml 天天象棋]" [Tian Tian Xiangqi]. QQ Games listing; the app description advertises 学棋模块 (a study module), 题库训练 (question-bank training) of "thousands of classical endgames and more than 60,000 exercises" for 残局杀法 and 中局战术, and 在线课程 (online courses) "from the beginner level to the basic checkmate methods". The Microsoft Store listing and the TapTap store page carry the same description; the TapTap screenshots show the online-course page with 入门杀法 course modules.</ref><ref name="ttx79">无何有色 (2019-11-28). "[https://jingyan.baidu.com/article/7f766daf76c84c0100e1d004.html 天天象棋第79关如何过，象棋杀法送佛归殿]" [How to pass ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'' level 79: the Repatriation of the Buddha mate]. 百度经验 (jingyan.baidu.com).</ref> English-language instruction covers it as well: lesson 28 of the ''Xiangqi for Chess Players'' beginner series is devoted to the mate and credits its position to an ancient manual.<ref name="s089">Xiangqi for Chess Players (2024-04-29). "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30qY8QFEerI Repatriation of the Buddha (28)]". Lesson 28 of the beginner series ''Xiangqi Chinese Chess – Beginner lessons for Chess Players''; 5:50.</ref>		The technique is a settled item in published xiangqi literature rather than a curiosity of online instruction. ''Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods'', issued by the World Xiangqi Federation and the Chinese Xiangqi Association, lists it as method 23 of the twenty-six basic checkmates in its second chapter and devotes three worked games to it.<ref name="wxf23" /> Jim Png Hau Cheng's ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English'' gives it its own headword and cross-references it from two related entries.<ref name="png-445" /><ref name="png-413">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Pawn Funeral Checkmate", pp. 413–414. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref><ref name="png-416">Jim Png Hau Cheng (June 2017). ''Lexicon of Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Terms in English''. First printing. New Taipei City: Jim Png Hau Cheng. "Pawn Triple Advancement Attack", p. 416. ISBN 978-957-43-4707-0.</ref> Chinese Wikipedia carries a dedicated article for <span lang="zh">送佛歸殿</span>.<ref name="zhwiki" /> Chinese-language teaching material presents it as one numbered item in a basic-mate syllabus,<ref name="s011">象棋-老云 (2020-03-14). "[https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV13E411V715 基本杀法第30课：送佛归殿]" [Basic mating methods, lesson 30: Repatriation of the Buddha]. 哔哩哔哩 (bilibili.com). Title and cover only.</ref><ref name="s013">爱下棋的冉帅 (2025-05-27). "[https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1NajdzoEBU 象棋34种基础杀法之三进兵]" [34 basic mating methods: Three Soldier Advances]. 哔哩哔哩 (bilibili.com).</ref><ref name="s054">竞阳体育 (2020-12-25). "[https://k.sina.com.cn/article_7507480051_1bf7b0df300100ycft.html 象棋百科启智初步，如何练习杀棋，学习杀法杀着有什么好方法吗？]" [Xiangqi encyclopedia primer: how to practise mating]. 新浪看点 (k.sina.com.cn).</ref> and it appears in the online course and puzzle banks of Tencent's ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'' (<span lang="zh">天天象棋</span>) application, whose endgame-challenge level 79 is solved with it.<ref name="ttx">Tencent. "[https://qqgame.qq.com/app/gamedetail_11500.shtml 天天象棋]" [Tian Tian Xiangqi]. QQ Games listing; the app description advertises 学棋模块 (a study module), 题库训练 (question-bank training) of "thousands of classical endgames and more than 60,000 exercises" for 残局杀法 and 中局战术, and 在线课程 (online courses) "from the beginner level to the basic checkmate methods". The Microsoft Store listing and the TapTap store page carry the same description; the TapTap screenshots show the online-course page with 入门杀法 course modules.</ref><ref name="ttx79">无何有色 (2019-11-28). "[https://jingyan.baidu.com/article/7f766daf76c84c0100e1d004.html 天天象棋第79关如何过，象棋杀法送佛归殿]" [How to pass ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'' level 79: the Repatriation of the Buddha mate]. 百度经验 (jingyan.baidu.com).</ref> The app's course content is documented in English by a 2026 video course, ''Every Basic Kill in Xiangqi Explained'', which states that it follows the official ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'' syllabus for student level 3 and works through the mate's section, with seven examples, from 3:15:14.<ref name="s095">Chinese Chess Out Loud (2026-07-13). "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9qar8u6KIQ Every Basic Kill in Xiangqi Explained]". Part 2 of the ''Fundamentals of Xiangqi'' course; 3:54:00. The description states that the video follows material for student level 3 (学3) and that the Repatriation of the Buddha Checkmate (送佛归殿) section begins at 3:15:14; the narration says the video follows "the official course from Tian Tian Xiangqi" and reproduces its examples.</ref> English-language instruction covers it as well: lesson 28 of the ''Xiangqi for Chess Players'' beginner series is devoted to the mate and credits its position to an ancient manual.<ref name="s089">Xiangqi for Chess Players (2024-04-29). "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30qY8QFEerI Repatriation of the Buddha (28)]". Lesson 28 of the beginner series ''Xiangqi Chinese Chess – Beginner lessons for Chess Players''; 5:50.</ref>

	Its Chinese names include <span lang="zh">三进兵</span> (Three Soldier Advances), <span lang="zh">太监追皇帝</span> or <span lang="zh">太监追皇上</span> (the Eunuch Chases the Emperor), <span lang="zh">一卒送终</span> ("a lone soldier holds the funeral rites") and <span lang="zh">独卒擒王</span> ("a lone soldier captures the general").<ref name="png-413" /><ref name="s001" /><ref name="s002">360百科 (baike.so.com). "[https://baike.so.com/doc/6645089-6858904.html 三进兵]" [Three Soldier Advances].</ref><ref name="s030">蕾米 (2015-12-14). "[http://news.4399.com/gonglue/ttxq/cjsfds/m/582765.html 天天象棋残局攻略卒(兵)杀法独卒擒王]" [Endgame guide for the app ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'': the soldier mate 独卒擒王]. 4399手机游戏网 (news.4399.com).</ref>		Its Chinese names include <span lang="zh">三进兵</span> (Three Soldier Advances), <span lang="zh">太监追皇帝</span> or <span lang="zh">太监追皇上</span> (the Eunuch Chases the Emperor), <span lang="zh">一卒送终</span> ("a lone soldier holds the funeral rites") and <span lang="zh">独卒擒王</span> ("a lone soldier captures the general").<ref name="png-413" /><ref name="s001" /><ref name="s002">360百科 (baike.so.com). "[https://baike.so.com/doc/6645089-6858904.html 三进兵]" [Three Soldier Advances].</ref><ref name="s030">蕾米 (2015-12-14). "[http://news.4399.com/gonglue/ttxq/cjsfds/m/582765.html 天天象棋残局攻略卒(兵)杀法独卒擒王]" [Endgame guide for the app ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'': the soldier mate 独卒擒王]. 4399手机游戏网 (news.4399.com).</ref> Not every syllabus merges them: the ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'' course that the 2026 video course follows lists Repatriation of the Buddha among its soldier killing methods and keeps Pawn Triple Advancement (三进兵) and Eunuch Chasing the Emperor (太监追皇帝) as separate entries in the "other basic kills" group.<ref name="s095" />

	The position normally used to introduce the method is a classical puzzle, and Png's Lexicon states that its own example "was collected in the ''Elegant Pastime Manual'' and was probably how the checkmate got its name".<ref name="png-445" /> The same name is also used for a capturing method in Go and appears in writing on the Chinese trick-taking card game <span lang="zh">双升</span>.<ref name="s001" /><ref name="s037">知乎专栏 (2023-01-08). "[https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/597415057 双升实用技术：漏一手与送佛归殿]" [Practical technique in Double Upgrade: the missed move and Repatriation of the Buddha].</ref>		The position normally used to introduce the method is a classical puzzle, and Png's Lexicon states that its own example "was collected in the ''Elegant Pastime Manual'' and was probably how the checkmate got its name".<ref name="png-445" /> The same name is also used for a capturing method in Go and appears in writing on the Chinese trick-taking card game <span lang="zh">双升</span>.<ref name="s001" /><ref name="s037">知乎专栏 (2023-01-08). "[https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/597415057 双升实用技术：漏一手与送佛归殿]" [Practical technique in Double Upgrade: the missed move and Repatriation of the Buddha].</ref>
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	English-language instruction covers the method as well. Lesson 28 of the ''Xiangqi for Chess Players'' beginner series, published in 2024, presents the mate under the name "Repatriation of the Buddha", walks through the chariot and horse sacrifices and the finishing pawn advance, and describes it as "one of the neatest checkmates I've seen", with the beauty of the position being that Red has sacrificed every piece except the two needed for the mate.<ref name="s089" />		English-language instruction covers the method as well. Lesson 28 of the ''Xiangqi for Chess Players'' beginner series, published in 2024, presents the mate under the name "Repatriation of the Buddha", walks through the chariot and horse sacrifices and the finishing pawn advance, and describes it as "one of the neatest checkmates I've seen", with the beauty of the position being that Red has sacrificed every piece except the two needed for the mate.<ref name="s089" />

			The fullest English treatment is the Chinese Chess Out Loud course video ''Every Basic Kill in Xiangqi Explained'', published in July 2026, which states that it follows the official ''Tian Tian Xiangqi'' course for student level 3 and works through its examples. The Repatriation of the Buddha section runs from 3:15:14 and contains seven positions. The first shows the plainest form — a cannon covering the soldier's file, three soldier advances with check, and mate — and the later examples vary the setting: a soldier that has to be brought into position first; a general boxed in by its own pieces and forced to block with a chariot or a cannon; an advisor pinned by a cannon; and a final example in which the mating check is a discovered double check from a horse. One example deliberately uses the flying general instead of a cannon as the supporting piece, and the narrator uses it to make the point that the attack "doesn't rely exclusively on the use of a cannon".<ref name="s095" />

	== Other senses of the name ==		== Other senses of the name ==

WikiAdmin: Restructure and rewrite around published references: WXF/CXA Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods, Png's Lexicon, Tian Tian Xiangqi course and puzzle banks, Chinese Wikipedia

2026-10-02T15:15:36Z

Restructure and rewrite around published references: WXF/CXA Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods, Png's Lexicon, Tian Tian Xiangqi course and puzzle banks, Chinese Wikipedia

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WikiAdmin: Add links to existing pages

2026-10-02T07:34:13Z

Add links to existing pages

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:34, 2 October 2026
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	== See also ==		== See also ==

			* [[Child Worships Buddha]]
	* [[Elbow horse]]		* [[Elbow horse]]
	* [[Secrets Inside the Orange]]		* [[Secrets Inside the Orange]]

WikiAdmin: Publish article from the Xiangqipedia research pipeline

2026-10-02T07:20:26Z

Publish article from the Xiangqipedia research pipeline

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Repatriation of the Buddha - Revision history

WikiAdmin: Comprehensive editorial revision: clarify definitions and classical continuation, correct tactical prose, tighten sourcing, remove research commentary, fix references; retain six boards.

WikiAdmin: Add Chinese Chess Out Loud course video (Every Basic Kill in Xiangqi Explained): Tian Tian Xiangqi level-3 syllabus and the seven Repatriation of the Buddha examples at 3:15:14

WikiAdmin: Restructure and rewrite around published references: WXF/CXA Basic Xiangqi Checkmate Methods, Png's Lexicon, Tian Tian Xiangqi course and puzzle banks, Chinese Wikipedia

WikiAdmin: Add links to existing pages

WikiAdmin: Publish article from the Xiangqipedia research pipeline