No. 197: Casting One's Life at the Enemy's Gate

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red H3+4 (check)

   1. Black A4-5 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red R8=6 (check, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   2. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red H4+2 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   3. Black C6-3 (threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red H2-3 (check, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black C6+2 (threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red R6+9 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

   Why it works

   • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

   • Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.

   5. Black K5=4 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

6. 6. Red H3+4 (checkmate)

   Why it works

   • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

Variations and alternative defences

What if Black defends differently? The alternatives below were checked with the rules engine; lines marked with a mating move lose at once, the others are worth trying on the analysis board.

• 1. Black A4-5
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays R3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black C6+2
  • If Black plays C6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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