Arimaa/Elephant and Minor Piece Attacks/Objectives and Risks

Reasons to use an Elephant and Minor Piece Attack

 * 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

 * 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