Single-Handedly Holding Off the Jin Army

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Chariot, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R1+1 (check, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   1. Black -C-1 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red R1=2 (captures the Cannon, check, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Cannon.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   2. Black E9-7 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red R2=3 (captures the Elephant, check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black R7-8 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red P5=4 (check, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

   • The Soldier stands where it can be captured.

   4. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red -P=3 (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 Soldier stands where it can be captured.

   5. Black P5=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

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 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black R8+5 (check)

7. 7. 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 34 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black R8=5

8. 8. Red P4=5 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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 for

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

   8. Black R5-7 (captures the Soldier)

9. 9. Red P6=5 (captures the Chariot, check, sacrifices the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   9. Black K5+1 (captures the Soldier)

10. 10. Red C3+9 (captures the Chariot)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 23 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 -C-1
  • If Black plays R7-8 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=3. Try it on the board
• 2. Black E9-7
  • If Black plays R7-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K6=5
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black P5=6
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. 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 R8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
• 6. Black R8+5
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. 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 P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
• 7. Black R8=5
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black K5+1
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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• Meeting on a Narrow Road
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• Cannon Strikes the Four Gates
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