Chariot Strikes the Marsh River

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R2+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 forNo real drawback in this position.

   1. Black E5-7 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red R2=3 (captures the Elephant, 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.
   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.
   • 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.

   2. Black A5-6 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red E3-5 (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 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black R7-9 (captures the Chariot)

4. 4. Red P6+1 (check, the only legal reply)

   Why it works

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

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   4. Black K4=5

5. 5. Red C1=9 (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 33 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black R3=4 (check)

6. 6. Red K6+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black C5=1

7. 7. Red H8-7 (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 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black -A+5

8. 8. Red C9=8

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black R7+8 (check)

9. 9. Red K6+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 32 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   9. Black R7=2

10. 10. Red C8+5 (sacrifices the Cannon, threatens mate next move)

    Why it works

    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

    What to watch out for

    • Gives up the Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
    • Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    10. Black R2-8 (captures the Cannon)

11. 11. Red H7+8 (captures the Chariot)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 15 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 A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
• 3. Black R7-9
  • If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
• 5. Black R3=4
  • If Black plays C5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R3=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
• 6. Black C5=1
  • If Black plays C5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with C9+5. Try it on the board
• 7. Black -A+5
  • If Black plays C1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. 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=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
• 8. Black R7+8
  • 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=5 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
• 9. Black R7=2
  • 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=5 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
• 10. Black R2-8
  • If Black plays C1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C1=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P6+1. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• Chariot and Horse Cut Off the Supplies
  12 moves
• Chariot and Horse at the Gate
  24 moves
• Golden Chariot Enters the Sea
  17 moves
• Crossing the Sea to Conquer the East
  34 moves
• Galloping Horse Returns Home
  14 moves
• Zhuge Borrows the Wind
  11 moves

More from Hundred Game Manual →

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