Lone Horse Class, Game 09

Pieces on the board

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

Solution move by move

1. 1. Red H9+8

   1. Black K4+1

2. 2. Red H8-7

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   2. Black E1+3

3. 3. Red H7+9

   Why it works–

   What to watch out for

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

   3. Black E3-5

4. 4. Red H9+7 (check)

   4. Black K4=5

5. 5. Red H7+5 (captures the Elephant)

   Why it works

   • Wins material: takes the Elephant.

   What to watch out forNo real drawback in this position.

   5. Black K5-1

6. 6. Red K5=6 (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 H5+3 (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.

   7. Black K5=6

8. 8. Red H3-4

   8. Black K6+1

9. 9. Red H4+2 (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.

   9. Black K6=5

10. 10. Red H2+3 (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+1
  • If Black plays E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 2. Black E1+3
  • If Black plays E1-3 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 3. Black E3-5
  • If Black plays E3-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 4. Black K4=5
  • If Black plays K4-1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
  • If Black plays K4+1 instead: no immediate mate; the attack continues. Try it on the board
• 5. Black K5-1
  • If Black plays K5=6 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
• 8. Black K6+1
  • If Black plays K6-1 instead: Red mates immediately with H4+6. Try it on the board

Final position

Nearby puzzles

• No. 13: Lone Horse vs Lone Soldier (1)
  6 moves
• Lone Horse Class, Game 11
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• Lone Horse Class, Game 10
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• No. 8: Lone Horse vs Lone Elephant (1)
  8 moves
• No. 4: Lone Horse Captures Lone Advisor
  16 moves
• Lone Horse Class, Game 03
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