Bravest of the Three Armies

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red P4+1 (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.

   1. Black K5-1 (threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red P4+1 (check)

   2. Black K5-1 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red R3=5 (check)

   3. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red R5+3 (check, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

   • The Chariot stands where it can be captured.

   4. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red C3+3 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • 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.

   5. Black A4-5 (threatens mate next move)

6. 6. Red P4=5 (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.

   6. Black K4+1 (threatens mate next move)

7. 7. Red R5=8 (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 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black K4=5

8. 8. Red +P=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 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black K5=4

9. 9. Red P6=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 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   9. Black K4=5

10. 10. Red R8-2 (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.

    10. Black K5-1

11. 11. 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 11 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    11. Black P5=6 (threatens mate next move)

12. 12. Red R8=5 (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.

    12. Black K5=6 (threatens mate next move)

13. 13. Red R5=4 (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.

    13. Black K6=5

14. 14. Red R4-4 (captures the Soldier)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Soldier.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    14. Black R5-1

15. 15. Red R4+6 (check)

    15. Black K5+1

16. 16. Red R4+1 (captures the Advisor)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Advisor.

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    16. Black R5=7

17. 17. Red R4-2 (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.

    17. Black K5-1

18. 18. Red R4+1 (check)

    18. Black K5+1

19. 19. Red P7=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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    19. Black K5=4

20. 20. Red P6=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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    20. Black R7+2 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

21. 21. Red K4+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 22 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    21. Black R7-7

22. 22. Red C3=1

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    22. Black -P=5

23. 23. Red C1-7

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    23. Black P4+1

24. 24. Red C1+3

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    24. Black R7+6 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

25. 25. Red K4-1 (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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    25. Black P4=5 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

26. 26. Red K4=5 (captures the Soldier, threatens mate next move)

    Why it works

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

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    26. Black R7+1 (check, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

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 K5-1
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R3=5. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays A4-5 instead: Red mates immediately with C3+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A6+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K4+1
  • If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black A4-5
  • If Black plays A6+5 instead: Red mates immediately with P4=5. Try it on the board
• 7. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. 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: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
• 8. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. 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: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
• 9. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. 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: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
• 11. Black P5=6
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=5. 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: Red mates immediately with R8=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=5. Try it on the board
• 14. Black R5-1
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=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
• 15. Black K5+1
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 16. Black R5=7
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays -P=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=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 18. Black K5+1
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 19. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays -P=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays -P=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
• 20. Black R7+2
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays -P=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays -P=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
• 21. Black R7-7
  • If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
• 22. Black -P=5
  • If Black plays +P+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +P=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays -P=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 23. Black P4+1
  • 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 P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 24. Black R7+6
  • 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 P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 25. Black P4=5
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
• 26. Black R7+1
  • If Black plays R7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R7=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board

Final position

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