Practical Xiangqi Endgames, Volume 3: Other Mating Techniques (06)

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, a Horse, a Cannon, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Chariots, a Horse, 2 Cannons, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R7+5 (captures the Cannon, check, sacrifices the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

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

   What to watch out for

   • Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.

   1. Black R2=3 (captures the Chariot)

2. 2. Red R3+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.

   2. Black K4+1

3. 3. Red C8=6 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

   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.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   3. Black A4-5

4. 4. Red P4=5 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Soldier, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

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

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   4. Black K4=5 (captures the Soldier)

5. 5. Red H2+4 (check)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black K5=6

6. 6. Red H4+2 (captures the Cannon, check)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Cannon.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   6. Black K6+1

7. 7. Red R3-2 (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.

   7. Black K6-1

8. 8. Red R3=7 (check)

   8. Black K6=5

9. 9. Red H2-4 (check)

   9. Black K5=6

10. 10. Red H4+6 (check)

    10. Black K6=5

11. 11. Red H6+7 (captures the Chariot, check)

    Why it works

    • Wins material: takes the Chariot.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

    11. Black K5=6

12. 12. Red H7-6 (check)

    12. Black K6=5

13. 13. Red H6-4 (check)

    13. Black K5=6

14. 14. Red H4+2 (check)

    14. Black K6=5

15. 15. Red H2+3 (check)

    15. Black K5=4

16. 16. Red H3-4 (check, threatens mate next move)

    Why it works

    • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

    What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

    16. Black K4=5

17. 17. Red H4-6 (check)

    17. Black K5=6

18. 18. Red R7=4 (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 R2=3
  • If Black plays K4+1 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 R3-2. Try it on the board
• 5. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays C8=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • 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 R3-2. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K6+1
  • If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 8. Black K6=5
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+2. Try it on the board
• 9. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+2. Try it on the board
• 10. Black K6=5
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 11. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 12. Black K6=5
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 13. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+2. Try it on the board
• 14. Black K6=5
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+2. Try it on the board
• 15. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+2. Try it on the board
• 16. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7=6. Try it on the board
• 17. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R7+2. Try it on the board

Final position

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