Shiqing Yaqu · Study 16
Shiqing Yaqu · Study 16. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 15 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 · B3 → E3
It captures the elephant. It gives check. The defender has 3 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 6 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black elephant · C5 → E3
It captures the chariot. It does not give check. The opponent has 48 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 · B5 → B1
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 15 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black advisor · D1 → E2
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 48 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 · 7 red pieces · 11 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 (15 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
B3 → E3 - Black elephant
C5 → E3 - Red cannon
B5 → B1 - Black advisor
D1 → E2 - Red cannon
B1 → B10 - Black chariot
I6 → H6 - Red cannon
H5 → A5 - Black soldier
D9 → D10 - Red chariot
A3 → A1 - Black advisor
E2 → D1 - Red chariot
A1 → D1 - Black horse
F2 → D1 - Red cannon
B10 → B1 - Black horse
D1 → B2 - Red cannon
A5 → A1