Fragrant Breeze Brushes the Willows

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red P3=2

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black A5+4

2. 2. Red C1+4 (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.

   2. Black K6+1

3. 3. Red H4+6 (captures the Advisor)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black +P+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

4. 4. Red K5=6 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black R1=4 (check, the only legal reply)

5. 5. Red K6=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   5. Black C1-5 (captures the Soldier)

6. 6. Red P2=3 (check)

   6. Black K6+1

7. 7. Red C1=6 (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 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black E5+7

8. 8. Red H6+5 (check, the only legal reply)

   Why it works

   • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   8. Black K6=5

9. 9. Red C6-8 (captures the Chariot, sacrifices the Cannon)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

   What to watch out for

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

   9. Black P4+1 (captures the Cannon)

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 A5+4
  • If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-2 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
• 3. Black +P+1
  • If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-2 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
• 4. Black R1=4
  • If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-2 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=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black C1-5
  • If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K6+1
  • If Black plays K6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C1-1. Try it on the board
• 7. Black E5+7
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+5. Try it on the board
• 9. Black P4+1
  • 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 P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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