Moon Hidden at the Sea Bottom

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red -R=5 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Chariot stands where it can be captured.

   1. Black E5+7

2. 2. Red R1=5 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Chariot stands where it can be captured.

   2. Black P6=5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

3. 3. Red -R-1 (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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black P4=5 (captures the Chariot, check)

4. 4. Red R5-2 (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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black C5+8 (captures the Chariot)

5. 5. Red K5+1 (captures the Cannon)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Cannon.

   What to watch out for

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

   5. Black P3=4

6. 6. Red C1+8

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   6. Black P4=5

7. 7. Red C1=5 (captures the Horse, sacrifices the Cannon)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Horse.

   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 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black A4-5 (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 E5+7
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • 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 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
• 2. Black P6=5
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • 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 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black P4=5
  • 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black C5+8
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E7-5 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
• 5. Black P3=4
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with P2=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with P2=3. Try it on the board
• 6. Black P4=5
  • 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 E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with P2=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with P2=3. Try it on the board
• 7. Black A4-5
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with P2=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P2=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E7-5 instead: Red mates immediately with P2=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• Cannon Strikes the Border Town
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• Cannon Strikes Tongguan
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• Cannon Strikes the Central Camp
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• Roving Soldiers Sue for Peace
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• Panning Gold From Sand
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• Massing Troops in the Western Regions
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