Eight Immortals Cross the Sea

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot, 3 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R4-6

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Chariot stands where it can be captured.

   1. Black R5-2

2. 2. Red P7=6 (captures the Advisor, check, 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.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   2. Black K4=5

3. 3. Red P6+1 (check)

   3. Black K5-1

4. 4. Red C4=5 (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.
   • Not forcing: the defender has 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black A4+5 (captures the Cannon)

5. 5. Red R4=8 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

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

   5. Black R5=4 (check)

6. 6. Red K6=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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black R4-5 (captures the Soldier)

7. 7. Red R8=1 (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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black K5=6

8. 8. Red R1+8 (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.

   8. Black K6+1

9. 9. Red P3+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.

   9. Black K6+1

10. 10. Red R1-2 (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 R5-2
  • If Black plays P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K5-1
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+6. Try it on the board
• 4. Black A4+5
  • If Black plays P2+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P2=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P2=1 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
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black R5=4
  • 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
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black R4-5
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R8+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays P1+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P1=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+8. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R1+8. Try it on the board

Final position

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