Shiqing Yaqu · Study 18
Shiqing Yaqu · Study 18. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 29 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 · H10 → F10
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 7 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black chariot · G3 → F3
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 1 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Red cannon · B6 → F6
The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 4 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 12 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black chariot · F3 → G3
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 40 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 4 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 6 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 (29 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
H10 → F10 - Black chariot
G3 → F3 - Red cannon
B6 → F6 - Black chariot
F3 → G3 - Red cannon
F6 → G6 - Black chariot
G3 → F3 - Red cannon
A6 → F6 - Black chariot
F3 → G3 - Red cannon
F6 → H6 - Black chariot
G3 → F3 - Red cannon
G6 → F6 - Black chariot
F3 → G3 - Red cannon
F6 → I6 - Black chariot
G3 → F3 - Red cannon
H6 → F6 - Black chariot
F3 → G3 - Red cannon
F6 → B6 - Black chariot
G3 → F3 - Red cannon
I6 → F6 - Black chariot
F3 → G3 - Red cannon
F6 → C6 - Black chariot
G3 → F3 - Red chariot
F10 → F3 - Black cannon
B3 → F3 - Red cannon
B6 → B1 - Black advisor
D1 → E2 - Red cannon
C6 → C1 - Black general
F1 → F2 - Red chariot
I10 → I2