No. 10: Three Low Soldiers Win by Rule vs Two Elephants and One Advisor

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 3 Soldiers. Black has a General, a Advisor, 2 Elephants.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red P7=6

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   1. Black A5+4

2. 2. Red P2+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   2. Black E7-9

3. 3. Red P2=3 (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.

   3. Black K6-1

4. 4. Red -P=4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   4. Black E9+7

5. 5. Red P4+1 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply)

   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.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   5. Black K6=5

6. 6. Red K5=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.

   6. Black A4-5

7. 7. Red P4=5 (captures the Advisor, checkmate)

   Why it works

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

   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 A5+4
  • If Black plays E7-9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black E7-9
  • If Black plays A4-5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6-1 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 E5-7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5+7 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5+3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E9-7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black A4-5
  • If Black plays E7-9 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E5+3 instead: Red mates immediately with P4+1. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 7: Two High Soldiers Win by Rule vs Cannon and Two Soldiers
  12 moves
• No. 8: Two High Soldiers Win by Rule vs Horse and Two Soldiers
  7 moves
• No. 9: Three Low Soldiers Win by Rule vs Two Advisors and One Elephant
  9 moves
• No. 11: Three Soldiers Win by Rule vs Full Advisors and Elephants (1)
  9 moves
• No. 12: Three Soldiers Win by Rule vs Full Advisors and Elephants
  7 moves
• No. 13: Three Soldiers Win by Rule vs Horse and Two Elephants
  9 moves

More from Practical Endgames →

Languages: English · Tiếng Việt · 简体中文 · 繁體中文