Distant Water Cannot Quench Nearby Thirst

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 H7+8

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   1. Black K5-1

2. 2. Red H8-6 (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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black K5=4

3. 3. Red H6+4 (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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black R5=4

4. 4. Red R4=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.

   4. Black R4+1 (check, the only legal reply)

5. 5. 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.

   5. Black R4-1 (check)

6. 6. 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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black R4+1 (check, the only legal reply)

7. 7. 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.

   7. Black R4=6 (check)

8. 8. Red K4-1 (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 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black P3=4

9. 9. Red R7=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.

• 1. Black K5-1
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=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: Red mates immediately with R4=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=5. Try it on the board
• 2. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+3. 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 R4+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+3. Try it on the board
• 3. Black R5=4
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. 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 R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
• 4. Black R4+1
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
• 5. Black R4-1
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
• 6. Black R4+1
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
• 7. Black R4=6
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
• 8. Black P3=4
  • If Black plays P3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P3=2 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board

Final position

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