B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 15

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Elephants, 2 Chariots, 2 Horses. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red +R=5 (captures the Advisor, check, sacrifices the Chariot, 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 for

   • Gives up the Chariot; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.

   1. Black K5+1 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

2. 2. Red H7+6 (check)

   2. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)

3. 3. Red H6+8 (check)

   3. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)

4. 4. Red H8+7 (captures the Elephant, check, sacrifices the Horse)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.

   What to watch out for

   • Gives up the Horse; the follow-up must be exact or the sacrifice is wasted.

   4. Black E5-3 (captures the Horse, threatens mate next move)

5. 5. Red H4-6 (check)

   5. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)

6. 6. Red H6+8 (check)

   6. Black K4=5 (threatens mate next move)

7. 7. Red H8+7 (captures the Elephant, check)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   7. Black K5=4 (threatens mate next move)

8. 8. Red R4=6 (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+1
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
• 2. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+2. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
• 4. Black E5-3
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=6. Try it on the board
• 5. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+2. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R4=5. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 20
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• B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 16
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• B. Two Chariots and Two Horses Class, Game 13
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