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Shiqing Yaqu · Study 24

Shiqing Yaqu · Study 24. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 47 reference plies, try both sides and branch from the replay.

0 pliesRed starts

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 · H4 → G2

The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point H3 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. 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 4 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

2. Black general · E1 → F1

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 21 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.

3. Red cannon · I9 → F9

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 8 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

4. Black advisor · E2 → F3

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 19 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.

Continue with the learning path →

Understand this position

10 ranks × 9 files · 7 red pieces · 13 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 (47 plies)

Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.

  1. Red horse H4 → G2
  2. Black general E1 → F1
  3. Red cannon I9 → F9
  4. Black advisor E2 → F3
  5. Red horse F4 → G6
  6. Black advisor F3 → E2
  7. Red horse G6 → F8
  8. Black advisor E2 → F3
  9. Red horse F8 → H7
  10. Black advisor F3 → E2
  11. Red horse H7 → F6
  12. Black advisor E2 → F3
  13. Red horse F6 → E4
  14. Black advisor F3 → E2
  15. Red horse E4 → F6
  16. Black advisor E2 → F3
  17. Red horse F6 → D5
  18. Black advisor F3 → E2
  19. Red horse D5 → F4
  20. Black advisor E2 → F3
  21. Red horse F4 → D3
  22. Black advisor F3 → E2
  23. Red horse G2 → F4
  24. Black advisor E2 → F3
  25. Red horse F4 → D5
  26. Black advisor F3 → E2
  27. Red horse D5 → F6
  28. Black advisor E2 → F3
  29. Red horse F6 → G4
  30. Black advisor F3 → E2
  31. Red horse G4 → F2
  32. Black advisor E2 → F3
  33. Red horse F2 → D1
  34. Black advisor F3 → E2
  35. Red horse D1 → F2
  36. Black advisor E2 → F3
  37. Red horse F2 → H3
  38. Black advisor F3 → E2
  39. Red horse H3 → F4
  40. Black advisor E2 → F3
  41. Red horse F4 → G6
  42. Black advisor F3 → E2
  43. Red horse G6 → F8
  44. Black advisor E2 → F3
  45. Red horse F8 → D9
  46. Black advisor F3 → E2
  47. Red chariot C9 → C1
Read the rules with worked examples →

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