No. 6: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Horse, Two Advisors and One Elephant

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Chariot. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Horse.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R3+3 (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.

   1. Black K6+1

2. 2. Red K4+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 4 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black E3+5

3. 3. Red K4-1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black E5-3

4. 4. Red R3-3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black K6-1

5. 5. Red R3=7

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black E3+5

6. 6. Red R7+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   6. Black E5-7

7. 7. Red K4=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 12 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. 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.

• 2. Black E3+5
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R3-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black E5-3
  • If Black plays E5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R3-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K6-1
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with R3+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black E3+5
  • If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black E5-7
  • If Black plays E5+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black E7+9
  • If Black plays H6-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6+8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H6+7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 3: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Two High Soldiers and Two Elephants
  2 moves
• No. 4: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Two High Soldiers and Two Advisors
  3 moves
• No. 5: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Horse and Two Elephants
  3 moves
• 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

More from Practical Endgames →

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