Shiqing Yaqu · Study 19
Shiqing Yaqu · Study 19. 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 horse · A4 → B2
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point A3 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 2 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black general · D1 → D2
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 39 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.
3. Red cannon · A6 → A2
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 17 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black horse · C3 → A2
It captures the cannon. Its horse-leg point B3 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It does not give check. The opponent has 22 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 · 10 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 (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 horse
A4 → B2 - Black general
D1 → D2 - Red cannon
A6 → A2 - Black horse
C3 → A2 - Red horse
B2 → D3 - Black general
D2 → D3 - Red cannon
D4 → D9 - Black general
D3 → E3 - Red soldier
F4 → E4 - Black general
E3 → F3 - Red cannon
D9 → F9 - Black cannon
F8 → D8 - Red advisor
E9 → F8