No. 27: Lotus Root Broken, Threads Still Bind

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R2+5 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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

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

   1. Black R9=8 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red C1=4 (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 C6=7

3. 3. Red C4=6 (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.

   3. Black C7=6 (threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red R4+6 (captures the Cannon, check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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.
   • Wins material: takes the Cannon.
   • 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.

   4. Black C4=6 (captures the Chariot)

5. 5. Red P6=5 (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.

   5. Black H3-5 (captures the Soldier)

6. 6. Red +C+5 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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 Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.

   6. Black H2-4 (captures the Cannon)

7. 7. Red C6+9 (captures the Horse, checkmate)

   Why it works

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

   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 R9=8
  • If Black plays E5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
• 2. Black C6=7
  • If Black plays C6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6+6 instead: Red mates immediately with P3=4. Try it on the board
• 3. Black C7=6
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 24: Faithful Steed Saves Its Master
  25 moves
• No. 25: Danger at One's Own Table
  7 moves
• No. 26: Repaying Kindness Beyond Death
  11 moves
• No. 28: Schemes and Nets Shine Together
  9 moves
• No. 29: Besieged on All Sides
  11 moves
• No. 30: Populous Nation, Mighty Army
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