Rivers Flow Without End

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R9=7

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black R9=5

2. 2. Red R7+3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black E5-3

3. 3. Red R7=6 (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.

   3. Black C5=4 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)

4. 4. Red R6=5 (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 for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black C4=5 (check, the General has no escape square)

5. 5. Red R5=6 (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.

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 R9=5
  • If Black plays P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black E5-3
  • If Black plays P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black C4=5
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+6. Try it on the board

Final position

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