Intercepting the Boat to Save the Young Lord

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R2+3 (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 E5-7 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. 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.

   2. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red R3=4 (captures the Advisor, 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 Advisor.
   • 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 R5-8 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

4. 4. Red R4-8 (captures the Horse, check, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

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

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black R5+9 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

5. 5. Red K6=5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black R2+4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

6. 6. 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.

   6. Black P3=4 (check)

7. 7. Red K5=6 (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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black R2-1 (check)

8. 8. Red K6+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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black R2=6 (captures the Chariot)

9. 9. 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.

   9. Black R6-6

10. 10. Red H6+5 (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.

    10. Black R6-2

11. 11. Red C1=3

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    • The Cannon stands where it can be captured.

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 E5-7
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
• 4. Black R5+9
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black R2+4
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
• 6. Black P3=4
  • If Black plays R2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
• 7. Black R2-1
  • If Black plays R2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
• 8. Black R2=6
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R2=1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+8. Try it on the board
• 9. Black R6-6
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• Curb the Strong, Aid the Weak
  21 moves
• Abandoning the Chariot to Go Alone
  17 moves
• Throwing Meat to a Hungry Tiger
  4 moves
• Retreating Bravely From the Rapids
  24 moves
• Holding the Moon in One's Arms
  27 moves
• Playing the Zither to Repel the Enemy
  15 moves

More from Xinwu Endgame Collection →

Languages: English · Tiếng Việt · 简体中文 · 繁體中文