Stealing Leisure Amid Haste

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Cannons, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red C8=3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 41 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Cannon stands where it can be captured.

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

2. 2. Red C7=5 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 42 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Cannon stands where it can be captured.

   2. Black C6+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)

3. 3. Red C5+5 (captures the Chariot)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black C6=2 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red +P=4 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, 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.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out for

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

   4. Black R6-2 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red R6=4 (captures the Chariot, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

   Why it works

   • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   5. Black K6+1 (captures the Chariot)

6. 6. Red E7-5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   6. Black P5=6

7. 7. Red C3+7 (captures the Cannon, sacrifices the Cannon)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Cannon.

   What to watch out for

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

   7. Black E9-7 (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 P6=5
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=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
  • If Black plays C6=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black C6+1
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=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
• 3. Black C6=2
  • If Black plays C6=5 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
  • If Black plays C6-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black P5=6
  • If Black plays C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black E9-7
  • If Black plays C2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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