Lone Horse Class, Game 11

Pieces on the board

Red has a General, a Horse. Black has a General, a Elephant.

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red H5+7 (check)

   1. Black K4=5

2. 2. Red H7-8

   2. Black E3-1

3. 3. Red K4+1

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black K5-1

4. 4. Red H8-6 (check)

   4. Black K5+1

5. 5. Red H6+7 (check)

   5. Black K5-1

6. 6. Red H7-9 (captures the Elephant)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   6. Black K5-1

7. 7. Red K4-1

   7. Black K5+1

8. 8. Red H9+7 (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.

   8. Black K5=4

9. 9. Red H7-6

   9. Black K4+1

10. 10. Red H6+8 (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.

    10. Black K4=5

11. 11. Red H8+7 (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 K4=5
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black E3-1
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black K5-1
  • If Black plays E1-3 instead: Red mates immediately with H8+7. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays E1+3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K5+1
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black K5-1
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 6. Black K5-1
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K5+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 7. Black K5+1
  • If Black plays K5=4 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 9. Black K4+1
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H6+4. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• Lone Horse Class, Game 15
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• Lone Horse Class, Game 14
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• No. 13: Lone Horse vs Lone Soldier (1)
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• Lone Horse Class, Game 10
  10 moves
• Lone Horse Class, Game 09
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• No. 8: Lone Horse vs Lone Elephant (1)
  8 moves

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