Mengru Shenji · Study 12
Mengru Shenji · Study 12. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 7 reference plies, try both sides and branch from the replay.
Site coordinates run A–I left to right and 1–10 top to bottom; A1 is the top-left intersection.
Read the position, one decision at a time
Try the position first, then open the notes. They explain measurable changes in the reference, not every possible variation.
Reveal step-by-step explanations
1. Red chariot · A5 → D5
The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 3 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 16 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black horse · B4 → D5
It captures the chariot. Its horse-leg point C4 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It does not give check. The opponent has 30 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 2 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Red chariot · E3 → D3
The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 1 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 16 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black general · D2 → D3
It captures the chariot. It does not give check. The opponent has 16 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 1 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 5 red pieces · 6 black pieces
Before moving, locate both generals and check open files, cannon screens and blocked horse legs. Try a legal move on the board, then examine the reply rather than assuming the first check wins. The reference is one continuation to compare, not an evaluation of every possible branch.
Read the reference line (7 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Red chariot
A5 → D5 - Black horse
B4 → D5 - Red chariot
E3 → D3 - Black general
D2 → D3 - Red horse
D1 → B2 - Black general
D3 → D2 - Red cannon
A10 → A2