Shuttling Through the Moon

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R2+4 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • 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.

   1. Black E5-7

2. 2. Red C7+2 (check, sacrifices the Cannon, 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 Cannon; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.

   2. Black E1-3 (captures the Cannon, 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 H3+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 R1+3 (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 R3=4 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 Advisor.
    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
    • Takes away the General's escape squares.

    What to watch out for

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

    10. Black A5-6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

11. 11. Red H7+8 (check, sacrifices the Horse)

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

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

    11. Black R2-7 (captures the Horse, threatens mate next move)

12. 12. Red P8=7 (captures the Elephant, 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.
    • Wins material: takes the Elephant.
    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

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

13. 13. Red R1=8 (captures the Chariot)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    13. Black P5+1 (threatens mate next move)

14. 14. 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.

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

15. 15. Red R8+1 (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.

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

16. 16. Red R8-8

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    16. Black P4+1 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

17. 17. Red R8=6 (captures the Soldier, check, 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.

    17. Black P5=4 (captures the Chariot, check, the only legal reply)

18. 18. Red K6=5

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    18. Black A6+5

19. 19. Red -P=8

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

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

    19. Black K4-1

20. 20. Red P8=7

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    20. Black K4=5

21. 21. Red P7=6

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    21. Black K5=6

22. 22. Red P6=5

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    22. Black P8=7 (threatens mate next move)

23. 23. Red P5=4

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 10 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 A5-6 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=4. 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 R1+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 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 R2-7
  • If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 13. Black P5+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 P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P7=6. 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 A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 16. 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 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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 17. Black P5=4
  • If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 18. Black A6+5
  • 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 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 K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 19. Black K4-1
  • 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 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 K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 20. Black K4=5
  • 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 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 A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 21. Black K5=6
  • 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 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 K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 22. Black P8=7
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • 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 A5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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