No. 5: Two Horses and Soldier Win by Rule vs Two Horses and Elephant

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Horses, a Soldier. Black has a General, a Elephant, 2 Horses.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red -H+6

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black K5=6

2. 2. Red P4+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Soldier stands where it can be captured.

   2. Black H5+3

3. 3. Red K5=4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black H7+6

4. 4. Red H7-5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black K6=5

5. 5. Red P4+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 16 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black H6-5

6. 6. Red P4=5 (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 K5=4

7. 7. Red H6+7 (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 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black E7+5

8. 8. Red H5+7 (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.

   8. Black H5-4

9. 9. Red +H-5 (captures the Elephant, checkmate)

   Why it works

   • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.
   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.

   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 K5=6
  • If Black plays H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7+9 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 H7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black H5+3
  • If Black plays H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7+9 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 H7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black H7+6
  • If Black plays H7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7+9 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 H7+5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H7-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K6=5
  • 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 H6-7 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
• 5. Black H6-5
  • 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 H6-7 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
• 7. Black E7+5
  • If Black plays H5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+3 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+6 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+4 instead: Red mates immediately with P5+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 8. Black H5-4
  • If Black plays H5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with +H+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with +H+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+3 instead: Red mates immediately with +H+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with +H+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+6 instead: Red mates immediately with +H+5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H5+4 instead: Red mates immediately with +H+5. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 2: Two Horses and Soldier Win by Rule vs Cannon with Full Advisors and Elephants
  9 moves
• No. 3: Two Horses and Soldier Win by Rule vs Two Horses and Advisor (1)
  20 moves
• No. 4: Two Horses and Soldier Win by Rule vs Two Horses and Advisor (2)
  10 moves
• 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

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