No. 5: Chariot and Low Soldier Draw by Rule vs Chariot and Elephant (1)

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Chariot, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red P7=6 (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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black K5=4

2. 2. Red P6=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Soldier stands where it can be captured.

   2. Black K4=5

3. 3. Red P5=4 (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 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black K5=4

4. 4. Red K4+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black R5+2

5. 5. Red R4=1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black E9+7

6. 6. Red R1=6 (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.

   6. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)

7. 7. Red R6=4 (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 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black K5=4

8. 8. Red R4=3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 21 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black E7-9

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 K5=4
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
• 2. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
• 4. Black R5+2
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black E9+7
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+1. Try it on the board
• 8. Black E7-9
  • If Black plays R5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R5=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 2: Chariot and Low Soldier Draw by Rule vs Horse with Full Advisors and Elephants
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• No. 3: Chariot and Low Soldier Draw by Rule vs Cannon with Full Advisors and Elephants
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• No. 4: Chariot and Low Soldier Draw by Rule vs Cannon and Two Elephants
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• No. 6: Chariot and Low Soldier Draw by Rule vs Chariot and Elephant (2)
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• No. 7: Chariot, Low Soldier and Advisor Win by Rule vs Chariot and Two Elephants (2)
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• No. 8: Chariot, Low Soldier and Advisor Draw by Rule vs Chariot and Advisor (2)
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