Chariot and Horse at the Gate

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R2+9 (check)

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

2. 2. Red H1+2 (check)

   2. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. 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.

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

4. 4. Red H2-4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

   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.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   4. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red H4-6 (check)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)

6. 6. Red R3-1 (check)

   6. Black A4+5 (threatens mate next move)

7. 7. Red H6+4 (check)

   7. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)

8. 8. Red H4-5 (check, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   8. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)

9. 9. Red H5+7 (check)

   9. Black K4-1 (threatens mate next move)

10. 10. Red P8=7 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

    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.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

    10. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)

11. 11. Red R3=5 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Advisor.

    What to watch out for

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

    11. Black K5+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

12. 12. Red R1+3 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

    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.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

    12. Black K5-1 (threatens mate next move)

13. 13. Red P7=6 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

    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.

    What to watch out for

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

    13. Black K5=4 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)

14. 14. Red R1=6 (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.

    14. Black K4=5

15. 15. Red E3+5 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Elephant)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

    What to watch out for

    • Gives up the Elephant; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
    • Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    15. Black R5-1 (captures the Elephant)

16. 16. Red E1+3

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

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

    16. Black R5=8 (threatens mate next move)

17. 17. Red K6=5

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

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

18. 18. Red R6-7 (captures the Soldier)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    18. Black R8+2 (check, the only legal reply)

19. 19. Red K5+1

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    19. Black R8-1 (check)

20. 20. Red K5-1

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    20. Black R8=4 (captures the Chariot)

21. 21. Red H7-9

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    21. Black R4-4

22. 22. Red H9-7

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    22. Black R4+1

23. 23. Red E3-5

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

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

    23. Black R4+1

24. 24. Red K5+1

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 18 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 K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black K6=5
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3-2. Try it on the board
• 6. Black A4+5
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black K4+1
  • If Black plays E7-5 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with P8=7. Try it on the board
• 8. Black K4-1
  • If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black K4-1
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 11. Black K5+1
  • If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 15. Black R5-1
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 16. Black R5=8
  • 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 R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 17. Black P4+1
  • If Black plays P4=5 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 R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 18. Black R8+2
  • If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 19. Black R8-1
  • If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 20. Black R8=4
  • If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 21. Black R4-4
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 22. Black R4+1
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 23. Black R4+1
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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