Five Strongmen Carve the Road

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red H4-3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black A5+6 (captures the Cannon)

2. 2. Red H3-5 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

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

   2. Black H6+8 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

3. 3. Red H5-3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black K6=5

4. 4. Red P2=3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black E5+7

5. 5. Red P3=4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   5. Black H8-7 (threatens mate next move)

6. 6. Red P4+1 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, the only legal reply)

   Why it works

   • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.

   What to watch out for

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

   6. Black K5=6 (captures the Soldier)

7. 7. Red P6=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black P5=6 (check, the only legal reply)

8. 8. Red K4=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black A6-5 (captures the Soldier)

9. 9. Red H3+4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   9. Black E7-9 (captures the Soldier)

10. 10. Red P7=6

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

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

    10. Black A5+6

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 A5+6
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays -P=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6+8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black H6+8
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K6=5
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 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
  • If Black plays E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black E5+7
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 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
  • If Black plays E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black H8-7
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black P5=6
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 8. Black A6-5
  • 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
  • If Black plays H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black E7-9
  • 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
  • If Black plays H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 10. Black A5+6
  • 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
  • If Black plays H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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