Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Cannon, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R1+1 (sacrifices the Chariot)

   Why it works–

   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 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black R8=9 (captures the Chariot)

2. 2. Red R7=5 (captures the Elephant, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

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

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Chariot stands where it can be captured.

   2. Black P3+1 (captures the Cannon)

3. 3. Red H8+6 (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 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black R5=6 (check, threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red K4+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

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

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black C9=3

5. 5. Red R5=7 (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 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Chariot stands where it can be captured.

   5. Black A5+4

6. 6. Red R7=6 (captures the Advisor)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black R9=8

7. 7. Red R6=2 (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 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Chariot stands where it can be captured.

   7. Black R8=7

8. 8. Red R2=4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black A4+5

9. 9. Red P4=5 (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.

   9. Black K5=4

10. 10. Red R4=6 (checkmate)

    Why it works

    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.

    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 R8=9
  • If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9-2 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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black P3+1
  • If Black plays C9=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9-2 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+5. Try it on the board
• 3. Black R5=6
  • If Black plays C9=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9-2 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
• 4. Black C9=3
  • If Black plays C9=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
• 5. Black A5+4
  • If Black plays C3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
• 6. Black R9=8
  • If Black plays C3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black R8=7
  • If Black plays C3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
• 8. Black A4+5
  • If Black plays C3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=9 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+7. Try it on the board

Final position

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• Sun Bin and Pang Juan Match Wits
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• Turning Horse, Golden Spear
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• Four Students Seek a Teacher
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