Slanting Moon and Three Stars

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R5+1 (check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

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

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

2. 2. Red A4-5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Advisor stands where it can be captured.

   2. Black C9=5

3. 3. Red +P=5 (check)

   3. Black K5=6

4. 4. Red -P=4 (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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black C5-8 (captures the Soldier)

5. 5. Red P6+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black H3-5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

6. 6. Red K6-1 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black H5-4

7. 7. Red P6=5 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

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

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Soldier stands where it can be captured.

   7. Black H4-6 (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 K6=5
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with +P=5. Try it on the board
• 2. Black C9=5
  • If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
• 4. Black C5-8
  • If Black plays C5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. 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=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
• 5. Black H3-5
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black H5-4
  • If Black plays H5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black H4-6
  • If Black plays H4+6 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4-2 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4+2 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4-3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4+5 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board

Final position

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