Non-facing rule in action

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ebillgo

In a previous post about the non-facing rule, I mentioned that a General ( Ka and Kb in the diagram ) cannot move to a file already occupied by its counterpart, if there is no intervening piece in the same file . In the diagram, imagine that the Cannon ( C ) is not there, then Red (to play) can simply take the Horse ( N ) with the Rook R1 since the black General ( Kb) is , bound by the non-facing rule , forbidden to come face to face with Ka. The problem is : The Cannon is protecting the Horse .  In this game, Red found the answer and won in a few moves. Can you do as well ?  

 

  Highlight the next few lines and change the font color to find the solution

 

1. R2 X C + !  Rb  X R2    2. R1 X N +   Kb moves   3. R1 X Rb

with the net gain of a cannon and a horse and Black is at

a serious material deficit.