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==Illustrating the problem==
The first general may start by sending a message: "Attack at 0900 on August 4." However, once dispatched, the first general has no idea whether or not the messenger got through. This uncertainty may lead the first general to hesitate to attack due to the risk of being the sole attacker.
To be sure, the second general may send a confirmation back to the first: "I received your message and will attack at 0900 on August 4." However, the messenger carrying the confirmation could face capture, and the second general may hesitate, knowing that the first might hold back without the confirmation.
Further confirmations may seem like a solution—let the first general send a second confirmation: "I received your confirmation of the planned attack at 0900 on August 4." However, this new messenger from the first general is liable to be captured, too. Thus, it quickly becomes evident that no matter how many rounds of confirmation are made, there is no way to guarantee the second requirement that each general is sure the other has agreed to the attack plan. Both generals will always be left wondering whether their last messenger got through.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamport |first=Leslie |last2=Shostak |first2=Robert |last3=Pease |first3=Marshall |title=The Byzantine Generals Problem |url=https://lamport.azurewebsites.net/pubs/byz.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=16 February 2024 |website=[[SRI International]]}}</ref>
== Proof ==
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