Two Dragons Play With a Pearl

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Chariot, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, 2 Horses, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R1+3 (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.

   1. Black -H-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 H6-7 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red C2=8

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black R8=9

4. 4. Red R2=1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Chariot stands where it can be captured.

   4. Black R9=7 (threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red R1=3 (captures the Horse, check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 for

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

   5. Black R7-9 (captures the Chariot)

6. 6. Red P8=7 (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.

   6. Black E1-3 (captures the Soldier)

7. 7. Red C8+3 (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.

   7. Black E3+5

8. 8. Red C8=3 (captures the Chariot)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

   What to watch out for

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

   8. Black C6-8

9. 9. Red C3-8

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 21 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.

• 2. Black H6-7
  • If Black plays H6-5 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=5. Try it on the board
• 3. Black R8=9
  • If Black plays C6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=3. 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
• 4. Black R9=7
  • If Black plays C6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C6=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R1=3. 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
• 5. Black R7-9
  • If Black plays C6-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black E3+5
  • If Black plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 8. Black C6-8
  • 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
  • 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

Final position

Nearby puzzles

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• Two Horses Share a Trough
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• Two Chariots Cast Into the Well
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• Two Lords Storm the City
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