B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 09

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Horse, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, a Chariot, a Horse, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red H3+1 (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 14 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   1. Black K5=6

2. 2. Red C5=2

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black A5+6

3. 3. Red C2=4 (check, 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.

   3. Black A6-5

4. 4. Red H1+2 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

   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.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   4. Black E5-7

5. 5. Red H2-3 (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.

   5. Black K6+1

6. 6. Red C1-5 (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 18 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black K6+1

7. 7. Red C4-3 (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 20 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black P5=4 (check)

8. 8. Red K6=5 (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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   8. Black H2+4

9. 9. Red H3-4 (check, threatens mate next move, the only legal reply, the General has no escape square)

   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.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   9. Black H4+6

10. 10. Red C1=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.

• 1. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-4 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2+4 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-3 instead: Red mates immediately with H1+2. Try it on the board
• 2. Black A5+6
  • 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 P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black A6-5
  • If Black plays K6=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K6+1
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-4 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2+4 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-3 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=4. Try it on the board
• 7. Black P5=4
  • If Black plays P5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P5=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-4 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2+4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-3 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H3-4. Try it on the board
• 8. Black H2+4
  • If Black plays P4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-4 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-3 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H2-1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1=4. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 06
  6 moves
• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 07
  6 moves
• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 08
  7 moves
• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 01
  4 moves
• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 02
  4 moves
• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 03
  4 moves

More from Horse & Cannon mates →

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