Subduing the Distant Court

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R1+2 (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.

   1. Black H6-8 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red R1=2 (captures the Horse, check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Horse.
   • 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.

   2. Black E5-7 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red R2=3 (captures the Elephant, check, 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 Elephant.
   • 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 A5-6 (threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red P3=4 (captures the Advisor)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 35 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black R3-2 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red R3-9 (captures the Chariot)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

   What to watch out for

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

   5. Black R3=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

6. 6. Red K6=5 (captures the Cannon)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Cannon.

   What to watch out for

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

   6. Black R4-4 (captures the Soldier)

7. 7. Red R3+6

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black A6+5

8. 8. Red R3=7 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

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

   8. Black A5+6 (captures the Soldier)

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 H6-8
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
• 2. Black E5-7
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
• 4. Black R3-2
  • If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black R3=4
  • If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black R4-4
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=9 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
• 7. Black A6+5
  • If Black plays P3+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=6 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
  • If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 8. Black A5+6
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=6 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
  • If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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 R4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+3. Try it on the board

Final position

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