No. 149: Soaring Dragon, Rising Phoenix

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red P4=5 (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.

   1. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red R4+2 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out for

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

   2. Black A5+6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red R5-2 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black E3-5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red +P=6 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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 for

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

   4. Black C4+2 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red C9=6 (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 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black C4=5 (threatens mate next move)

6. 6. Red C6-4 (captures the Soldier, check, 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.
   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   6. Black C5=4 (threatens mate next move)

7. 7. Red A6-5 (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.

   7. Black C4=5

8. 8. Red H7+6 (check, 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.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   8. Black C5=4

9. 9. Red H6+7 (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 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   9. Black C4=5

10. 10. Red H7+6 (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.

• 2. Black A5+6
  • If Black plays E3-5 instead: Red mates immediately with +P+1. Try it on the board
• 5. Black C4=5
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black C4=5
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black C4=5
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H7+6. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 146: Far Hunt in the Mountain Forests
  9 moves
• No. 147: Fire Oxen Break the City
  19 moves
• No. 148: Restore Order From Chaos
  13 moves
• No. 150: Marshal Lü Soars Like a Hawk
  9 moves
• No. 151: Enemy Horses Drink From the River
  14 moves
• No. 152: Fishing in Midstream
  8 moves

More from Elegant Pastimes (Shiqing Yaqu, 1570) →

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