Pearl Curtain Hung Upside Down

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Chariot, a Horse, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red H5-7 (check)

   1. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red H7-5 (check)

   2. Black K4=5

3. 3. Red P4=5 (captures the Advisor)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Soldier stands where it can be captured.

   3. Black R6-8 (captures the Chariot)

4. 4. Red +P=4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Soldier stands where it can be captured.

   4. Black R6=8 (threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red +P=2

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Soldier stands where it can be captured.

   5. Black R8=7

6. 6. Red P4=3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Soldier stands where it can be captured.

   6. Black R7=6

7. 7. Red P9=8 (captures the Cannon)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Cannon.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black A4+5

8. 8. Red P8=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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black R6+3

9. 9. Red +P=4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Soldier stands where it can be captured.

   9. Black R6=5

10. 10. Red P5+1

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    10. Black A5-4

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 C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black R6-8
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black R6=8
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black R8=7
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black R7=6
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black A4+5
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E9+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 8. Black R6+3
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E9+7 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black R6=5
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 10. Black A5-4
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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