Horse and Cannon Class, Game 09

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Advisor, a Elephant, a Horse, a Cannon. Black has a General, 2 Advisors, a Chariot.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red C5=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.

   1. Black A6-5

2. 2. Red H7-5 (check)

   2. Black K6-1

3. 3. Red H5+3 (check)

   3. Black K6=5

4. 4. Red C4=7 (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 13 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black R4-1 (check)

5. 5. Red K5=6 (captures the Chariot, threatens mate next move)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Chariot.
   • Creates an immediate mating threat that must be answered.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   5. Black A5+6

6. 6. Red C7=5 (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.

   6. Black K5+1

7. 7. Red C5-2

   7. Black K5=6

8. 8. Red A4+5

   8. Black A6-5

9. 9. Red C5=4

   9. Black K6+1

10. 10. Red H3-4 (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 K6-1
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H5-4. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K6=5
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black R4-1
  • If Black plays R4=5 instead: Red mates immediately with K5-1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=6 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with E9-7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays R4-2 instead: Red mates immediately with C7+7. Try it on the board
• 5. Black A5+6
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=5. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5+4 instead: Red mates immediately with C7=5. Try it on the board
• 7. Black K5=6
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: Red mates immediately with A4+5. Try it on the board
• 8. Black A6-5
  • If Black plays A4+5 instead: Red mates immediately with C5=4. Try it on the board
• 9. Black K6+1
  • If Black plays A5-6 instead: Red mates immediately with A5+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays A5+4 instead: Red mates immediately with A5+4. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• Horse and Cannon Class, Game 01
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• Horse and Cannon Class, Game 02
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• Horse and Cannon Class, Game 05A
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• Horse and Cannon Class: Standard Positions 2
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• Horse and Cannon Class: Standard Positions 1
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