No. 157: Calling a Deer a Horse

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot, 2 Horses, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R1+3 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • 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.

   1. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red C4=5 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black E5-7 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red H3+5 (check, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   3. Black A4+5 (threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red R1=3 (captures the Elephant, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.
   • 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 34 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black R7-9 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red H5+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.

   5. Black K5=4

6. 6. Red H9+8 (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.

   6. Black K4+1

7. 7. Red C5=9 (threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black H4-3

8. 8. Red C9+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 A5-6
  • If Black plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black E5-7
  • If Black plays E5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A4+5 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
• 3. Black A4+5
  • If Black plays A6+5 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+3. Try it on the board
• 4. Black R7-9
  • If Black plays C1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-4 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
• 7. Black H4-3
  • If Black plays C1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=3 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-2 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-3 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-4 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+2. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 154: Repelling the Barbarians on All Sides
  9 moves
• No. 155: Feet Tread the Heavenly Cave
  6 moves
• No. 156: Three Offerings, Feet Severed
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• No. 158: Fighting Tigers Bare-Handed, Fording Rivers
  5 moves
• No. 159: Unmatched Before and After
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• No. 160: Leaning on the Gate Awaiting a Son
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