No. 3: High and Low Soldiers Win by Rule vs Two Advisors and Two Soldiers

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Soldiers. Black has a General, 2 Advisors.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red P6=5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   1. Black K6+1

2. 2. Red P5+1 (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.

   2. Black K6-1

3. 3. Red P7+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black K6-1

4. 4. Red P7=6

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   4. Black K6+1

5. 5. Red P6=5 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Soldier)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   5. Black A4+5 (captures the Soldier)

6. 6. Red P5+1 (captures the Advisor, check, 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 forNo real drawback in this position.

   6. Black K6+1

7. 7. Red K5+1 (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 K6+1
  • 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
• 3. Black K6-1
  • 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
• 4. Black K6+1
  • 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=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black A4+5
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K6+1
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with K5=6. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 1: Lone Soldier Wins by Rule vs Bare King
  5 moves
• No. 2: Lone Soldier Wins by Rule vs Bare King (2)
  7 moves
• No. 4: High and Low Soldiers Win by Rule vs Two Elephants, Two Soldiers Beat Two Elephants
  10 moves
• No. 5: Two High Soldiers and Elephant Win by Rule vs Soldier and Elephant
  11 moves
• No. 6: Two High Soldiers and Elephant Win by Rule vs Soldier and Advisor
  12 moves
• No. 7: Two High Soldiers Win by Rule vs Cannon and Two Soldiers
  12 moves

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