Guessing Game Through the Wall

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red C2+6 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • 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.
   • Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black R6=8 (captures the Cannon)

2. 2. Red C3-2 (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 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Cannon stands where it can be captured.

   2. Black P3+1 (check, threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red K6=5 (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 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black P4=5 (threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red C3-1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black R8=7

5. 5. Red C3=7 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black R7+1

6. 6. Red R1=5 (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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black R7=5 (captures the Soldier)

7. 7. Red C7=6

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   7. Black E1+3

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 R6=8
  • If Black plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6+2 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6+3 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6+4 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6+5 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+6. Try it on the board
• 2. Black P3+1
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
• 3. Black P4=5
  • If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
• 4. Black R8=7
  • If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • 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 P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black R7+1
  • 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 P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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 P5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
• 6. Black R7=5
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. 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 E1-3 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
• 7. Black E1+3
  • 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 P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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 E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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