4. Sacrifice Tactics 108

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red P3+1 (sacrifices the Soldier)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.
   • Not forcing: the defender has 25 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black E5+7 (captures the Soldier)

2. 2. Red C3=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 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black H3-1

3. 3. Red C2=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 27 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black A5-6

4. 4. Red -C+3 (captures the Elephant, check)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   4. Black A4+5

5. 5. Red +C=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 23 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

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 E5+7
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black H3-1
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
• 3. Black A5-6
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=8 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9=7 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C9-1 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board
• 4. Black A4+5
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

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