Arimaa/Elephant and Minor Piece Attacks/Objectives and Risks

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Reasons to use an Elephant and Minor Piece Attack[edit | edit source]

  • to capture enemy pieces in a trap that is defended only by weak pieces such as Cats and Rabbits
  • to create a counter-attack when the Camel and Horses are under attack on the opposite wing
  • to generate goal threats in the endgame
  • to facilitate the hostage-taking of a strong defender
  • to allow attacking opportunities for Horses and Camels by distracting the enemy Elephant
  • because all the Horses and Camels have been exchanged off the board
  • to blockade the enemy position (see chapter on Multiple Piece Swarming Attacks)

Risks associated with Elephant and Minor Piece Attacks[edit | edit source]

  • multiple weak attackers may be taken hostage or framed
  • if the Elephant is forced to move to another quadrant, pieces may be trapped
  • the home trap defense may be seriously weakened and the goal defense may be compromised
  • hostage-taking attempts decentralize the attacking Elephant
  • the attacking side may not be able to hold the crucial b6 square
  • an Elephant and Rabbit Attack is likely to result in the Rabbit being framed on the c6 square, unless the trap is defended only by Rabbits