51. Clearing the Obstacles

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, a Chariot, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R4+5 (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 K4+1

2. 2. Red R4-6 (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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black K4-1

3. 3. Red R4+6 (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.

   3. Black K4+1

4. 4. Red H7-8 (check)

   4. Black K4=5

5. 5. Red H8-6 (check)

   5. Black K5=4

6. 6. Red R4-1 (check)

   6. Black K4+1

7. 7. Red H6+8 (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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black K4=5

8. 8. Red R4-1 (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.

   8. Black K5-1

9. 9. Red H8+7 (check)

   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.

• 2. Black K4-1
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-2. Try it on the board
• 5. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-2. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K4+1
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board

Final position

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