No. 10: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Cannon and Two Elephants

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Chariot. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, a Cannon.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R7=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black E1+3

2. 2. Red R5+1 (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 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black K4-1

3. 3. Red R5-4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 9 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black +E-1

4. 4. Red R5+2

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black E1+3

5. 5. Red R5=2

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black +E-1

6. 6. Red R2-2

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black K4+1

7. 7. Red R2+2 (check)

   7. Black K4-1

8. 8. Red R2=7

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black C4=5

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 E1+3
  • If Black plays E3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black K4-1
  • If Black plays +E-5 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays +E-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays -E+5 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays -E+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black +E-1
  • If Black plays +E-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays -E+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=6. Try it on the board
• 4. Black E1+3
  • If Black plays C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black +E-1
  • If Black plays +E-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays -E+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K4+1
  • If Black plays E1+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=9 instead: Red mates immediately with R2=6. Try it on the board
• 7. Black K4-1
  • If Black plays E3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 8. Black C4=5
  • If Black plays E1+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 7: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Horse and Two High Soldiers
  15 moves
• No. 8: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Horse, High Soldier and Two Advisors
  6 moves
• No. 9: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Cannon and Two Advisors
  5 moves
• No. 11: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Cannon and Two High Soldiers
  5 moves
• No. 12: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Chariot, Advisor and Bottom Soldier
  6 moves
• No. 13: Two Chariots Draw by Rule vs Two Cannons with Full Advisors and Elephants
  6 moves

More from Practical Endgames →

Languages: English · Tiếng Việt · 简体中文 · 繁體中文