Horse and Soldier Class, Game 06

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red P3+1 (check)

   1. Black K6-1

2. 2. Red P3+1 (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.

   2. Black K6=5

3. 3. Red H2-4 (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 19 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black C3-1

4. 4. Red H4+6 (check, 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.
   • Takes away the General's escape squares.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   4. Black C3=4

5. 5. Red H6-8

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   5. Black P9=8

6. 6. Red H8+7

   6. Black P8=7

7. 7. Red H7-6 (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 8 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   7. Black P7=6

8. 8. Red H6+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 K6-1
  • If Black plays K6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H2-3. Try it on the board
• 3. Black C3-1
  • If Black plays P9+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P9=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=4 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=5 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+3. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=6 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C3=7 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+6. Try it on the board
• 5. Black P9=8
  • If Black plays P9+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H8+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H8+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with H8+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H8+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4+2 instead: Red mates immediately with H8+6. Try it on the board
• 6. Black P8=7
  • If Black plays P8+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black P7=6
  • If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=3 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=2 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4=1 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays C4+1 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• Horse and Soldier Class, Game 03
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• Horse and Soldier Class, Game 04
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• Horse and Soldier Class, Game 05
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• Horse and Soldier Class, Game 07
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• Horse and Soldier Class, Game 08
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