Arimaa/Lone Elephant Attacks/Illustrative Games
< Arimaa < Lone Elephant Attacks Frank Heinemann vs Paul Lefert, 2005 Postal Championship
In this Dual Lone Elephant game, both players set up their armies in identical fashion and attempted to disrupt each others' defensive positions with sweeps beneath the traps, threats to push stronger pieces into the center of the board and Rabbit pulls along the perimeter. However, Gold was able to continually trap the Silver Rabbits while Silver had little success doing likewise to Gold. The patient and precise technique used by Gold in this game is highly instructive.
Gameboard | Comments
After 4 moves, a typical opening position has been reached. Both Elephants have been positioned on the b-file for the double threat of a rabbit pull along the a-file, or to dislodge the enemy Horse from its current square. Unfortunately, this latter objective will prove fruitless with both Elephants on the b-file. For example, Gold continued with 5g Eb5w hb6s hb5e Ea5e after which Silver was easily able to retreat his Horse with 5s eb4e Hb3n hc5n me7w. Notice that Silver has taken a step to the west with the Camel in order to discourage an Elephant and Horse Attack. However, Gold can easily continue the attack against the northwest pieces with the lone Elephant. Play continued 6g Hb4s Eb5n Hb3s 6s hc6s hc5e ec4e ed4s 7g Eb6s Eb5e Hb2n Cd2s 7s hd5e cd6e ce6n he5n 8g Ec5w Eb5n Eb6n Df2n 8s md7s ed3s Me2n ed2e 9g dc7s Eb7e Me3w Md3w.
