No. 4: Two Cannons and Soldier with Full Advisors and Elephants Win by Rule vs Two Horses and Two Elephants

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Horses.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red C2=5 (check, 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.

   1. Black H7+5

2. 2. Red C9=6

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   2. Black H3+1

3. 3. Red C5+2

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black H1+3

4. 4. Red C6=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   4. Black K5+1

5. 5. Red P6+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   5. Black K5-1

6. 6. Red P6+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   6. Black E3+1

7. 7. Red +C+4 (captures the Elephant)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.

   What to watch out for

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

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 H7+5
  • If Black plays H3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black H3+1
  • If Black plays H3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3-2 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 K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black H1+3
  • If Black plays H1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H1-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H1+2 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 K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K5+1
  • If Black plays H3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+2 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 K5-1
  • If Black plays H3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3-1 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+2 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black E3+1
  • If Black plays H3+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3-1 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+1 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+2 instead: Red mates immediately with -C+3. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 1: Two Cannons, Soldier, Advisor and Elephant Win by Rule vs Horse with Full Advisors and Elephants
  6 moves
• No. 2: Two Cannons, Soldier, Advisor and Elephant Win by Rule vs Cannon with Full Advisors and Elephants
  7 moves
• No. 3: Two Cannons and Soldier with Full Advisors and Elephants Win by Rule vs Two Horses and Two Advisors
  22 moves
• No. 5: Two Cannons, Soldier and Two Advisors Win by Rule vs Two Cannons and Two Advisors
  16 moves
• No. 6: Two Cannons and Soldier with Full Advisors and Elephants Win by Rule vs Two Cannons and Two Elephants
  16 moves
• No. 1: Lone Chariot Draws by Rule vs Chariot and Cannon
  6 moves

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