Mengru Shenji · Study 5
Mengru Shenji · Study 5. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 5 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 horse · F5 → D4
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point E5 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It does not give check. The opponent has 25 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 8 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black chariot · C1 → C2
The destination was empty. 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 7 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Red soldier · H3 → G3
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 23 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 3 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black chariot · C2 → D2
It captures the cannon. It does not give check. The opponent has 11 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 5 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 4 red pieces · 7 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 (5 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Red horse
F5 → D4 - Black chariot
C1 → C2 - Red soldier
H3 → G3 - Black chariot
C2 → D2 - Red soldier
G3 → F3