Mengru Shenji · Study 4
Mengru Shenji · Study 4. 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 cannon · D8 → D3
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 29 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 15 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black advisor · E2 → D3
It captures the cannon. It does not give check. The opponent has 26 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.
3. Red cannon · B3 → E3
It captures the cannon. The cannon captures over its single screen at D3. It does not give check. The opponent has 17 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.
4. Black soldier · A9 → B9
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 31 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.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 6 red pieces · 11 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 cannon
D8 → D3 - Black advisor
E2 → D3 - Red cannon
B3 → E3 - Black soldier
A9 → B9 - Red chariot
D2 → E2