Shiqing Yaqu · Study 21
Shiqing Yaqu · Study 21. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 19 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 · F2 → F1
The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 2 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 13 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black general · E1 → F1
It captures the chariot. 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 1 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Red horse · G4 → H2
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point G3 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It gives check. The defender has 2 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 7 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black general · F1 → E1
The destination was empty. 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.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 9 red pieces · 10 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 (19 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
F2 → F1 - Black general
E1 → F1 - Red horse
G4 → H2 - Black general
F1 → E1 - Red horse
I3 → G2 - Black general
E1 → F1 - Red horse
G2 → E3 - Black general
F1 → E1 - Red horse
E3 → G2 - Black general
E1 → F1 - Red chariot
D2 → D1 - Black general
F1 → F2 - Red horse
H2 → G4 - Black general
F2 → F3 - Red chariot
D1 → F1 - Black advisor
E2 → F1 - Red horse
G2 → E1 - Black advisor
F1 → E2 - Red cannon
E8 → E2