No. 2: Horse, Cannon and Elephant Draw by Rule vs Cannon and Two Soldiers

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Elephant, a Horse, a Cannon. Black has a General, a Cannon, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red H3+5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black K5=4

2. 2. Red H5+6 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • 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.

   2. Black C7=4

3. 3. Red H6-5 (check)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black C4=2

4. 4. Red C6+5 (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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black K4+1

5. 5. Red H5+7 (check)

   5. Black K4=5

6. 6. Red C6-1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   6. Black C2=3

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=4
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C7=8 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C7=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black C7=4
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
• 3. Black C4=2
  • If Black plays P5=4 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=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K4+1
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H5+6. Try it on the board
• 5. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays K4-1 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
• 6. Black C2=3
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2=1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C2-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 37: Cannon, Two Soldiers, Two Advisors and One Elephant Win by Rule vs Cannon, Two Advisors and One Elephant
  8 moves
• No. 38: Cannon, Two Soldiers, Advisor and Elephant Win by Rule vs Horse, Two Advisors and One Elephant
  11 moves
• No. 1: Horse, Cannon and Elephant Draw by Rule vs Horse and Two Soldiers
  5 moves
• No. 3: Horse and Cannon Draw by Rule vs Cannon and Two Elephants
  6 moves
• No. 4: Horse and Cannon with Full Advisors and Elephants Draw by Rule vs Cannon with Full Advisors and Elephants
  7 moves
• No. 5: Horse and Cannon Draw by Rule vs Lone Chariot
  7 moves

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