Mantis Blocks the Chariot

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Chariots, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R4=5 (check, sacrifices the Chariot)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   1. Black A4+5 (captures the Chariot)

2. 2. Red R9+3 (check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.

   2. Black A5-4

3. 3. Red C7=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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Cannon stands where it can be captured.

   3. Black P5=6 (check, threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red K4+1 (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 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black P7=6 (check)

5. 5. Red K4-1 (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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black P6+1 (check, threatens mate next move)

6. 6. Red K4+1 (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 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black P4=5 (check)

7. 7. Red K4=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 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black R7+8 (check, the only legal reply)

8. 8. Red K5-1 (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 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black R7=4

9. 9. Red H8+6 (captures the Advisor, sacrifices the Horse)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.

   What to watch out for

   • Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
   • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   9. Black R4-8 (captures the Horse)

10. 10. Red R9=6 (captures the Chariot, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

    Why it works

    • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
    • Wins material: takes the Chariot.
    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

    10. Black K5=4 (captures the Chariot)

11. 11. Red C2=7

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

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 A4+5
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A6+5 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+1. Try it on the board
• 3. Black P5=6
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
• 4. Black P7=6
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. 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 H8-6. 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: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black P6+1
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black P4=5
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R9=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7+2 instead: Red mates immediately with R9=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7+3 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
• 7. Black R7+8
  • If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R9=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7+2 instead: Red mates immediately with R9=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7+3 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7+4 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7+5 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
• 8. Black R7=4
  • If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
• 9. Black R4-8
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H6-8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H6-8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H6-8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H6-8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H6-7. Try it on the board

Final position

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