Sun Bin and Pang Juan Match Wits

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Chariot, a Horse, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R1+4 (check, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   1. Black H6-8 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red R1=2 (captures the Horse, check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Horse.
   • 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.

   2. Black E5-7 (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 H4+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.

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

5. 5. Red R3=4 (captures the Advisor, 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 Advisor.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   5. Black K5+1 (threatens mate next move)

6. 6. Red P7=6 (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.

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

7. 7. Red R4=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.

   7. Black K4=5

8. 8. Red R6-7 (captures the Chariot)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black C5+2

9. 9. Red R6=9 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   9. Black E1+3

10. 10. Red R9+2

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    10. Black E3-5 (captures the Horse)

11. 11. Red K4=5

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 16 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 H6-8
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=4. Try it on the board
• 2. Black E5-7
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=4. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays R4-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-2. Try it on the board
• 8. Black C5+2
  • If Black plays P6+1 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
  • If Black plays P7+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black E1+3
  • If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 10. Black E3-5
  • If Black plays C5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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