No. 143: Avoid Harm on Sight

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R7=3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 39 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Chariot stands where it can be captured.

   1. Black R7=9

2. 2. Red R2=3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 36 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black A5-6

3. 3. Red +R+1 (sacrifices the Chariot)

   Why it works–

   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.

   3. Black R9=7 (captures the Chariot)

4. 4. Red R3+5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black A4+5

5. 5. Red C2+7 (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 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black K5=4

6. 6. Red P4=5 (captures the Advisor, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black R1=6

7. 7. Red R3=4 (captures the Advisor, checkmate)

   Why it works

   • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.

   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 R7=9
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 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=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black A5-6
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 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=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black R9=7
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 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=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black A4+5
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
• 5. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
• 6. Black R1=6
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R1=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 140: Luring the Dragon Out of the Water
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• No. 141: Troops Camped at Xiliu
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• No. 142: Seven States in Horizontal Alliance
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• No. 144: Pure House Carries On the Arms
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• No. 145: Open the Gates and Await Battle
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• No. 146: Far Hunt in the Mountain Forests
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