No. 118: Many Advisors, None Can Reach

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Horse, a Cannon, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R7+1 (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.

   1. Black K4-1

2. 2. Red C9=4 (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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black P6+1 (captures the Advisor, check)

3. 3. Red A5-4 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.
   • 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.

   3. Black C2=9 (captures the Elephant)

4. 4. Red C1=2 (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 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black K4=5

5. 5. Red C2+1 (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=6 (captures the Cannon)

6. 6. Red R7+1 (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 K4-1
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black P6+1
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=2 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+1. Try it on the board
• 3. Black C2=9
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=2 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+1. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=2 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C2+1. Try it on the board

Final position

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• No. 120: Treasures Smashed in the Casket
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