No. 177: Leaning on Each Other's Strength

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Chariots, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red C1=9

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black R1=2

2. 2. Red +R+3 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.

   2. Black K4+1

3. 3. Red -R+3 (check, the only legal reply)

   Why it works

   • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   3. Black K4+1

4. 4. Red -R=8 (sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • 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.
   • Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black R2-7 (captures the Chariot)

5. 5. Red R2-2 (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 R1=2
  • If Black plays R1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black R2-7
  • If Black plays R2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R2-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R2-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R2-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2-4 instead: Red mates immediately with R2-2. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 174: Thrice Enraging Zhou Yu
  5 moves
• No. 175: Circling on All Four Sides
  14 moves
• No. 176: Seeing Off and Welcoming
  14 moves
• No. 178: Striving With One Heart
  5 moves
• No. 179: Border Beacons Alarm the Enemy
  6 moves
• No. 180: Evening Birds Return to the Forest
  6 moves

More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →

Languages: English · Tiếng Việt · 简体中文 · 繁體中文