Shiqing Yaqu · Study 11
Shiqing Yaqu · Study 11. 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 · C3 → C1
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 12 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black elephant · E3 → C1
It captures the chariot. It does not give check. The opponent has 42 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 chariot · H3 → D3
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.
4. Black cannon · A3 → D3
It captures the chariot. The cannon captures over its single screen at B3. It does not give check. The opponent has 32 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 · 9 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
C3 → C1 - Black elephant
E3 → C1 - Red chariot
H3 → D3 - Black cannon
A3 → D3 - Red cannon
H8 → H1 - Black elephant
G1 → E3 - Red cannon
B8 → D8 - Black cannon
D3 → C3 - Red horse
F8 → D7 - Black cannon
C3 → D3 - Red horse
D7 → E5 - Black cannon
D3 → C3 - Red horse
E5 → D3