No. 2: Two Cannons, Soldier, Advisor and Elephant Win by Rule vs Cannon with Full Advisors and Elephants

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, 2 Cannons, a Soldier. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Cannon.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red P4=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black E5+7

2. 2. Red C1+3 (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 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black +E-9

3. 3. Red P5+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black A5+4

4. 4. Red C2=4 (captures the Advisor, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black E9+7

5. 5. Red C4-1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Forcing: the opponent has only one reply, so the line cannot be avoided.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   5. Black -E+9

6. 6. Red P5+1 (check, sacrifices the Soldier)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Gives up the Soldier; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.

   6. Black A4-5 (captures the Soldier)

7. 7. Red C4=6 (captures the Cannon)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Cannon.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

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 E5+7
  • If Black plays E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black +E-9
  • If Black plays +E-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=3. Try it on the board
• 3. Black A5+4
  • If Black plays E9+7 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black E9+7
  • If Black plays A4-5 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: Red mates immediately with C4-1. 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: Red mates immediately with C4-1. Try it on the board
• 6. Black A4-5
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 4: Two Horses and Soldier Win by Rule vs Two Horses and Advisor (2)
  10 moves
• No. 5: Two Horses and Soldier Win by Rule vs Two Horses and Elephant
  9 moves
• No. 1: Two Cannons, Soldier, Advisor and Elephant Win by Rule vs Horse with Full Advisors and Elephants
  6 moves
• No. 3: Two Cannons and Soldier with Full Advisors and Elephants Win by Rule vs Two Horses and Two Advisors
  22 moves
• No. 4: Two Cannons and Soldier with Full Advisors and Elephants Win by Rule vs Two Horses and Two Elephants
  7 moves
• No. 5: Two Cannons, Soldier and Two Advisors Win by Rule vs Two Cannons and Two Advisors
  16 moves

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