Blooming and Bearing Fruit

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Cannon, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Chariot, a Horse, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red K4-1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black P7+1

2. 2. Red +P=6 (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.

   2. Black P7+1 (check, the only legal reply)

3. 3. Red K4=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black R3-1 (captures the Soldier)

4. 4. Red +P=4 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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 for

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

   4. Black K5=6 (captures the Soldier)

5. 5. Red P6+1 (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.

   5. Black R3-6 (captures the Cannon)

6. 6. Red P8=7 (captures the Chariot)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black H8-6 (threatens mate next move)

7. 7. Red A5+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 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black H6-5

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 P7+1
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black P7+1
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with +P=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with +P=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with +P=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=5 instead: Red mates immediately with +P=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black R3-1
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black H8-6
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H8+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H8-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H8-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black H6-5
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6-8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6+8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6-4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6=5. Try it on the board

Final position

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