Mid-game technique with details explanation: Containment

Mid-game technique with details explanation.

Containment is a tactic to control the movement of opponent’s important piece.

Let learn from Puzzle below.
Red to move and win.

As seen on board, Black has advantages on materials. In order for Red to win, Red must not allowed Black to develop his chariot. If we apply reverse mind map logic thinking, how could Black develop his chariot? 

There are 3 possibilities:
1) Black is able to play E9+7 and then advance his chariot vertically and rapidly
2) Black is able to play E7+5 and then develop his chariot horizontally
3) Red play P2=3 and allow Black to play R9=8

Therefore Red need to find a way to prevent Black to develop his chariot quickly,and gain some spare time to prepare for the final attack. This tactic is called containment!

  1. H3+2  …………

Obviously Red H3+2 is a must move.
If Red play H3+4, Red could not checkmate immediately. Black would play E9+7 and follows by R9+9, R9-1, R9=3 to prevent Red to play H6+8.If Red continue to move P2=3, Black could R3-6. Black win.

  1. …………  K5=4

The only move. If Black play P7+1, would blocking himself to play E9+7 in next move. Red could have enough time to attack.

  2. K4=5  K4+1    3. A6+5  …………

This is another key move to prevent Black to develop his chariot quickly. We will know the reason in later stage.

  3. …………  K4-1    4. A5+6  …………

A continuous move! This is to prevent Black Chariot quickly to protect his file #4 after some checks and move to file #4.


  4. …………  K4+1    5. P4=5  …………

Before that, Red has gained some spare time to prepare for the final attack. Now is the time to launch the attack.

  5. …………  K4-1

If Black play K4+1, Red could play H8+7 then follow by H7-6 checkmate.

  6. K5+1  …………

A good waiting move! Red forces Black to play E7+5!

If Red play H2-3, Black could E9+7 then follow by R9+2 and R9=5.

After forcing Black to play E7+5, Black chariot is not able to move his chariot in this position.

Second reason is to prevent Black chariot to check and capture the Red pawn on center line.

  6. …………  E7+5

Obviously Black could not play P7+1. Red could checkmate in next few moves.

  7. H2-3  R9=6

Finally Black is able to develop his chariot. However it is less efficient compared with a file chariot development.

  8. H3+5  R6+3

Is a must!

  9. H5+6  …………

Now you can see the reason to force Black played E7+5 previously.
Black is unable to check with R6=5, then follow by R5-2 to capture Red pawn.
In additional, due to Red already played A5+6 (not A5-4), Black is unable to play R6=5 then R5=4 to capture Red horse.


  9. …………  R6=3   10. P2=3  R3-1   11. P3=4  R3-1

If Black play R3=4, Red would P4+1 follow by P4=5 checkmate.

 12. H6-8  R3=2   13. H8-6  R2=3   14. H6+7  R3+1   15. P4+1  …………



 15. …………  E5-7   16. P4=5

Red win!

Solution: