GM Yang GuanLin: Offer his chariot for FREE 4 times....and still won the game!

Li YiTing vs Yang GuanLin

Both of the players were China Xiangqi National Champion.

GM Yang GuanLin: Offer his chariot for FREE 4 times

The game position shown below was a battle within GM Li YiTing and GM Yang GuanLin.

In this game, GM Yang GuanLin had demonstrated his superior skill in middle game and endgame, and his ability to manage the complicated situation. He was a dangerous attacking player with a mindset that is bold and fear nothing. GM Yang managed to find the right moment to breakthrough Red's defense by offering his chariot 4 times.

Enjoy the game!

Black to move!

1. ...... R7-3

This was the first attempt for Black to offer his chariot. 

2. R7+3   

However Red could not captured this chariot, else Black could H8+6 checkmate.

If Red played C2=5, Red could R5+5, H4+5, R7+3, A5-4, H8+6, K5+1, R7-1 checkmated.

2. ...... K5+1     3. R7-1  K5-1   4. R7+1 K5+1   5. R7-1 K5-1   6. E7+5 R5+5

Black did not give any chance to Red. Black R5+5 captured Red's center elephant to further destroy Red's defense.  This was the second attempt for Black to offer his chariot.

Obviously, Black could not played H4+5 to capture Red's chariot, Red could played R7+3 followed by H8+6 and then R7-1 checkmated.

7. R7+1  K5+1  8. R7-1  K5-1  9. H6-4  K5=4  10. R7=4

Red quickly moved  his chariot to file 4 to consolidate the defense.

Sadly, Red could not moved his cannon to other position, else would checkmate by Black's horse.

11. ......   R5=8

Black had easily captured Red's cannon and prepared to offer his chariot again.

12. R4+1 K4+1    13. H6+4  Red was threatening to capture Black's chariot on file 7.

13.........  K4=5

Black ignored and moved his King to center file!! Black offered his chariot  third time.

14. H4-3

There was no better option, Red forced to capture Black's chariot, and also gave way for his chariot to protect file 4. Red's plan was to sacrifice his chariot by R4-7 if Red played H8+6 and hoping for a draw game. However, Black has much better choice  than H8+6

14. .....   R8=6 

Excellent move. This was the forth attempt for Black to offer his chariot. Red resigned immediately.

If Red R4-7, Black H8=6 checkmated.

In this game, GM Yang GuanLin had demonstrated his superior skill in middle game and endgame, and his ability to manage the complicated situation. He was a dangerous attacking player with a mindset that is bold and fear nothing. GM Yang managed to find the right moment to breakthrough Red's defense by offering his chariot 4 times.