Four Bandits Capture the King

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Elephant, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 5 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red +P+1 (check, sacrifices the Soldier, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • 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.

   1. Black E5-7 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red P2=3 (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.

   2. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red +R+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.

   3. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red -R+4 (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.
   • 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.

   4. Black E7-9 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red R1-1 (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.

   5. Black K6-1 (threatens mate next move)

6. 6. Red R1+1 (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.

   6. Black K6+1 (threatens mate next move)

7. 7. Red -P+1 (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.

   7. Black K6=5 (threatens mate next move)

8. 8. Red C1+5 (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.
   • 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.

   8. Black R6-6 (threatens mate next move)

9. 9. Red C1=4 (captures the Chariot)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   9. Black K5=4

10. 10. Red C4+2

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    • The Cannon stands where it can be captured.

    10. Black P4+1 (check, the only legal reply)

11. 11. Red K5+1

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    11. Black H5-7

12. 12. Red P6=5

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
    • The Soldier stands where it can be captured.

    12. Black R5=3 (captures the Soldier)

13. 13. Red R1=4 (threatens mate next move)

    Why it works

    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

    What to watch out for

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

    13. Black K4=5

14. 14. Red C4=5 (check, sacrifices the Cannon)

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

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

    14. Black R3=5 (captures the Cannon)

15. 15. Red P5+1 (captures the Chariot)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    15. Black P3+1

16. 16. Red -P=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.

    16. Black K5=4

17. 17. Red R4=5 (threatens mate next move)

    Why it works

    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    17. Black H7-6

18. 18. Red R5-3

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    18. Black K4-1

19. 19. Red R5=4 (captures the Horse)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Horse.

    What to watch out for

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

    19. Black K4=5

20. 20. Red R4=5 (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.

    20. Black K5=4

21. 21. Red R5-2 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.
    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    21. Black P3+1

22. 22. Red R5=6 (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.
    • 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.

    22. Black P3=4

23. 23. Red R6+1 (captures the Soldier, checkmate)

    Why it works

    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

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 K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black K5=4
  • 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 H5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 10. Black P4+1
  • 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 H5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 11. Black H5-7
  • 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 H5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+3 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
• 12. Black R5=3
  • 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 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 H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 13. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. 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: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
• 14. Black R3=5
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
• 15. Black P3+1
  • 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 P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7+9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 17. Black H7-6
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. 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: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-9 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
• 18. Black K4-1
  • 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 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 19. Black K4=5
  • 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 P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. 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 P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 21. Black P3+1
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board

Final position

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