Cannon and Soldier Class, Game 6

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red P2=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.

   1. Black K6=5

2. 2. Red C9+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.

   2. Black H4-3

3. 3. Red C9-6

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

   • Not forcing: the defender has 6 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   3. Black H3+4

4. 4. Red C9=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 10 replies, so compare each one before playing it.

   4. Black H4+5

5. 5. Red C1=5

   5. Black P8=7

6. 6. Red K5=4 (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.

   6. Black P7=6

7. 7. Red C5+1

   7. Black P6=5

8. 8. Red P3=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.

• 3. Black H3+4
  • 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
  • If Black plays P8=7 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H3+2 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black H4+5
  • If Black plays P8+1 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=9 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P8=7 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4-6 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4+6 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+6. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays H4-2 instead: Red mates immediately with C1+6. Try it on the board
• 5. 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
• 6. Black P7=6
  • If Black plays P7+1 instead: Red mates immediately with P3=4. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P7=8 instead: Red mates immediately with P3=4. Try it on the board
• 7. Black P6=5
  • If Black plays P6+1 instead: Red mates immediately with K4+1. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays P6=7 instead: Red mates immediately with P3=4. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

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