B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 22

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, 2 Elephants, 4 Soldiers.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red H9-7 (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.

   1. Black K5+1

2. 2. Red H7-6 (check)

   2. Black K5+1

3. 3. Red H6-4 (check)

   3. Black K5=4

4. 4. Red R9-4 (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 15 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black K4-1

5. 5. Red R9=6 (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 K4=5

6. 6. Red H4+6 (check)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   6. Black K5+1

7. 7. 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.

   7. Black K5=4

8. 8. Red H6+4

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black A4+5

9. 9. Red R5=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.

   9. Black K4=5

10. 10. Red H4+5

    Why it works–

    What to watch out for

    • Not forcing: the defender has 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

    10. Black K5=6

11. 11. Red R6=4 (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.

    11. Black K6=5

12. 12. Red H5-7 (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.

    12. Black K5=4

13. 13. 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.

• 2. Black K5+1
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K5=4
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K4-1
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R9=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with R9=6. 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 P5=6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with R9=6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=5 instead: Red mates immediately with R9=6. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K5+1
  • If Black plays K5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with R6=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 8. Black A4+5
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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 P5=6 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=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 10. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. 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 P5=6 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=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H5-7. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 25
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• B. Two Chariots and Horse Class, Game 24
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• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 23
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• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 21
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• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 20
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• B. Chariot and Horse Class, Game 19
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