Win 3: a comeback, and a soldier drop mates (Red)

97 moves

Black is better for the first twenty moves, by as much as 2.3 after move 13. Red’s advisors play from e3, the top of the palace, and d4, in front of it. The game turns on 21. e7, and Red finishes with drops: four checks in a row from hand, then a chariot and a soldier.

A@e3, then A@d4 two moves later: one advisor at the top of the palace, one in front of it.

f1-f10+: the chariots trade on Black’s back rank, and Red drops its new one on f1 at once.

d5-g5: Black’s cannon wins a soldier. Black leads from here to move 20.

f5-e7: the horse takes the middle soldier, and the game turns: +0.5, Red’s first plus since move 6.

N@e9: Black spends the horse it just won on defence, and Red is clearly better (+3.3).

e3-d4: the advisor steps out of the palace to take back on d4.

N@f8+: the first of four drops in a row, each with check: horse, soldier, cannon, horse.

d4-e3: an advisor takes the cannon that gave check.

P@e9: a soldier dropped beside the general. The chariot on e8 guards it, and Black’s own horse blocks f10. Mate.