Shiqing Yaqu · Study 20
Shiqing Yaqu · Study 20. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 13 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 · I2 → I1
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 28 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.
2. Black chariot · H1 → I1
It captures the chariot. 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 chariot · C3 → E3
It captures the elephant. It does not give check. The opponent has 28 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.
4. Black soldier · C5 → C6
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 1 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 8 red pieces · 12 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 (13 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
I2 → I1 - Black chariot
H1 → I1 - Red chariot
C3 → E3 - Black soldier
C5 → C6 - Red horse
B5 → D4 - Black chariot
E9 → F9 - Red general
F10 → F9 - Black cannon
I10 → C10 - Red chariot
E3 → C3 - Black advisor
E2 → D3 - Red chariot
C3 → D3 - Black chariot
I1 → H1 - Red chariot
D3 → H3