B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 07

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red H8+7 (check)

   1. Black K5=6

2. 2. Red C8+5

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   2. Black R8+9 (check, threatens mate next move, the General has no escape square)

3. 3. Red E5-3

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 17 replies, so compare each one before playing it.
   • The Elephant stands where it can be captured.

   3. Black K6+1

4. 4. Red H7+5 (check)

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   4. Black A5+6

5. 5. Red H5-6 (captures the Advisor, 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.
   • Wins material: takes the Advisor.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   5. Black K6-1

6. 6. Red C9+1 (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 K5=4 instead: Red mates immediately with C8=6. Try it on the board
• 2. Black R8+9
  • 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: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5+6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K6+1
  • If Black plays R8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R8-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black A5+6
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with C8-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5-4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C8-2. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 04
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• B. Two Cannons and Horse Class, Game 08
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