Hongniang Sheds Her Robe

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Chariot, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red C1=3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black R7-1 (captures the Soldier)

2. 2. Red R2+9 (check, 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.
   • 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 C3+5 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black R7-6 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red R2=3 (captures the Chariot)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

   What to watch out for

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

   4. Black C6-2 (threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red P4+1 (captures the Advisor, check)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

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

6. 6. Red P4=5 (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.

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

7. 7. Red R3-1 (check)

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

8. 8. Red R3=4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   8. Black -P=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

9. 9. Red R4-4 (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 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   9. Black P6+1 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

10. 10. Red R4-3 (captures the Soldier, sacrifices the Chariot)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

    What to watch out for

    • Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
    • Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    10. Black P5=6 (captures the Chariot, check)

11. 11. Red K4+1 (captures the Soldier)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 5 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 R7-1
  • 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 C6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black R7-6
  • If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black C6-2
  • 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 C6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=4. Try it on the board
• 5. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black K4+1
  • If Black plays C6-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 8. Black -P=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 C6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black P6+1
  • 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: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 10. 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: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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