Rescuing the Lord at Changban

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 5 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R1+2 (captures the Cannon, check)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Cannon.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   1. Black E5-7

2. 2. Red R1=3 (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.

   2. Black H6-7 (captures the Chariot)

3. 3. Red R3+2 (captures the Horse, check, the only legal reply)

   Why it works

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

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   3. Black K5+1

4. 4. Red R3-1 (check)

   4. Black K5-1

5. 5. Red R3=6 (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.

   5. Black P7+1

6. 6. Red R6-5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black P7=6

7. 7. Red P2+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   7. Black P4+1 (threatens mate next move)

8. 8. Red R6-3 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black P6+1

9. 9. Red R6=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Chariot stands where it can be captured.

   9. Black P8=7 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

10. 10. Red E5-3 (captures the Soldier)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

    What to watch out for

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

    10. Black P5+1 (captures the Chariot, check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

11. 11. Red K4+1

    Why it works–

    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 H6-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+1. Try it on the board
• 2. Black H6-7
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K5-1
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black P7+1
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • 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
• 6. Black P7=6
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • 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
• 7. Black P4+1
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • 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 P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 8. Black P6+1
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • 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 P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black P8=7
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • 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 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
• 10. Black P5+1
  • 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 P9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• Recognizing the General, Withdrawing the Army
  12 moves
• Lantern Viewing on the Fifteenth Night
  15 moves
• Blocking the Might at Xiling
  17 moves
• Guarding Pu Pass
  14 moves
• Brocade Pouch Saves the Lord
  12 moves
• Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg
  19 moves

More from Hundred Game Manual →

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