No. 1: Cannon and Advisor Win by Rule vs Single Elephant

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Advisor, a Cannon. Black has a General, a Elephant.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red C3=5 (check)

   1. Black K5=4

2. 2. Red K4=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   2. Black E7-5

3. 3. Red A5+6

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black K4=5

4. 4. Red C5+7 (captures the Elephant)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   4. Black K5-1

5. 5. Red C5+1

   5. Black K5=6

6. 6. Red C5=8 (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 K6+1

7. 7. Red A6-5

   7. Black K6-1

8. 8. Red C8-8 (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.

   8. Black K6+1

9. 9. Red A5+4 (threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   9. Black K6+1

10. 10. Red C8=4 (checkmate)

    Why it works

    • Ends the game: no legal reply remains.

    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=4
  • If Black plays E7-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black E7-5
  • If Black plays E7-9 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
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays E5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5+3 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=6. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K5-1
  • If Black plays K5=6 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
• 5. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black K6-1
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black K6+1
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C8=4. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 15: Two Horses and Elephant Win by Rule vs Cannon and Two Advisors (1)
  19 moves
• No. 16: Two Horses and Elephant Win by Rule vs Cannon and Two Advisors (2)
  19 moves
• No. 17: Two Horses and Elephant Win by Rule vs Horse and High Soldier
  7 moves
• No. 2: Cannon and Advisor Win by Rule vs Single Advisor
  10 moves
• No. 3: Cannon and Advisor Win by Rule vs Two Advisors
  22 moves
• No. 4: Cannon and Two Advisors Win by Rule vs Single Soldier
  5 moves

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