Six Dragons Adorn the Sky

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red C7=2

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   1. Black R5-5

2. 2. Red H8+7

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 30 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black R5=6 (check)

3. 3. Red K4=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black R8=7 (threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red C2=3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 31 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Cannon stands where it can be captured.

   4. Black A5+4

5. 5. Red R8-6

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black R6=5 (check)

6. 6. Red K5=4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 29 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black E5+7 (captures the Cannon, threatens mate next move)

7. 7. Red R8=6 (captures the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 28 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black R7=8

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 R5-5
  • 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
  • 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=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black R5=6
  • 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 R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 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
• 3. Black R8=7
  • 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 R6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black A5+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 R6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black R6=5
  • 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 R6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R6=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black E5+7
  • 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 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=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black R7=8
  • If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E7-5 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=8 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

Final position

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• Eight Tribes Offer Tribute
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