B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 08

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, 2 Elephants, a Horse, 2 Cannons. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Elephant, 2 Horses, a Cannon, a Soldier.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red C7+1 (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.

   1. Black H3-2

2. 2. Red H4+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.

   2. Black K5=4

3. 3. Red H6+8 (check)

   3. Black K4=5

4. 4. Red C7-2 (check, the General has no escape square)

   Why it works

   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   4. Black H2+4

5. 5. Red C9=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 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Cannon stands where it can be captured.

   5. Black P4+1 (check)

6. 6. Red K5+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 26 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   6. Black C4-6 (captures the Cannon)

7. 7. Red C7+2 (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.

• 3. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C9-1. Try it on the board
• 4. Black H2+4
  • If Black plays C4-6 instead: Red mates immediately with H8-6. Try it on the board
• 5. Black P4+1
  • 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 C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
• 6. Black C4-6
  • If Black plays P4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=8 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+2. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 05
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• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 06
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• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 07
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• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 09
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• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 01
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• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 02
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