Grasping the Horse to Remonstrate

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R2+4 (check)

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

2. 2. Red H1+3 (check)

   2. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red H3-5 (check)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black +E-5 (threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red R1=4 (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.
   • 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.

   4. Black A5+6 (threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red R2-1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

   Why it works

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

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   5. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)

6. 6. Red R4+2 (captures the Advisor, check, 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 Advisor.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

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

7. 7. Red R4=5 (captures the Elephant, check, sacrifices the Chariot)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.

   What to watch out for

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

   7. Black E7+5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

8. 8. Red R2+1 (check)

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

9. 9. Red R2=3 (captures the Elephant, check, 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 Elephant.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   9. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)

10. 10. Red H5+3 (check)

    10. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)

11. 11. Red R3=5 (check)

    11. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)

12. 12. Red R5-8 (captures the Soldier)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    12. Black P2=3 (check)

13. 13. Red K6+1

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    13. Black C2=5 (captures the Chariot)

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

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Cannon.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 9 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 E5-7
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black K6+1
  • If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black +E-5
  • If Black plays C5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R2-2. Try it on the board
• 7. Black E7+5
  • If Black plays A4+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+3. Try it on the board
• 8. Black E5-7
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 10. Black K5+1
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
• 11. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays A4+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 12. Black P2=3
  • If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 13. Black C2=5
  • If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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