Golden Man and Seven Swallows

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 K4=5 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red A6-5

   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 C1=5

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

   3. Black K5=4

4. 4. 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.

   4. Black C5-8 (captures the Soldier)

5. 5. Red P4+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 H7-5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

6. 6. Red K4-1 (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 H5-6

7. 7. Red P4=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 H6-4 (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 K4=5
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with +P=5. Try it on the board
• 2. Black C1=5
  • If Black plays C1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
• 4. Black C5-8
  • If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
• 5. Black H7-5
  • 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
• 6. Black H5-6
  • 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 H5-4 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 H6-4
  • If Black plays H6-8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6+8 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6+4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6-7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6+7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg
  19 moves
• Golden Hook Fishes for the Moon
  15 moves
• Golden Clash at Tong Pass
  19 moves
• Wild Horse Tills the Field
  26 moves
• Great Battle at Poyang
  14 moves
• Attacking From Near and Far
  13 moves

More from Hundred Game Manual →

Languages: English · Tiếng Việt · 简体中文 · 繁體中文