Marching With Fewer Stoves

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R1=5 (check)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • The Chariot stands where it can be captured.

   1. Black E7+5 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red P6+1 (check, sacrifices the Soldier)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

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

3. 3. Red R5=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.

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

4. 4. Red E3-1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black P4+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

5. 5. Red R6-4 (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 24 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black C9=4 (captures the Chariot)

6. 6. Red P3=4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   6. Black C4-8

7. 7. Red C1+4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black E5+3 (captures the Soldier)

8. 8. Red P2=3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black R5-4 (threatens mate next move)

9. 9. Red P4=5 (check, sacrifices the Soldier)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   9. Black R5-3 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)

10. 10. Red C1=5 (captures the Chariot, sacrifices the Cannon)

    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.

    10. Black K5+1 (captures the Cannon)

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 E7+5
  • If Black plays R5-4 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
• 2. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. 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 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=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black C9=4
  • 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 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=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black C4-8
  • 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 C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black E5+3
  • 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 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
• 8. Black R5-4
  • 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 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
• 9. Black R5-3
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P3=4. Try it on the board
• 10. Black K5+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 E3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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