B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 09

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Elephants, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, a Horse, 2 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red R8+8 (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.

   1. Black K5+1

2. 2. Red H5+3 (check)

   2. Black K5=4

3. 3. Red R8-4 (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 5 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black K4-1

4. 4. Red R8=6 (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.

   4. Black K4=5

5. 5. Red R6=5 (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.

   5. Black K5=4

6. 6. Red H3-5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   6. Black K4=5

7. 7. Red H5+4 (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.

   7. Black K5=6

8. 8. Red H4-6 (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 7 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black H4-3 (threatens mate next move)

9. 9. Red R5=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.

• 2. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8-2. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K4-1
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R8=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K4=5
  • 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
• 8. Black H4-3
  • If Black plays H4-2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4+2 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4-5 instead: Red mates immediately with R5+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with R5=4. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 12
  5 moves
• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 11
  8 moves
• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 10
  7 moves
• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 08
  9 moves
• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 07
  8 moves
• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 05
  8 moves

More from Chariot & Horse mates →

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