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Shiqing Yaqu · Study 6

Shiqing Yaqu · Study 6. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 43 reference plies, try both sides and branch from the replay.

0 pliesRed starts

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 cannon · E8 → E4

It captures the soldier. The cannon captures over its single screen at E6. 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 7 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

2. Black advisor · E2 → F3

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 47 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 · D3 → E3

The destination was empty. 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 10 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

4. Black general · E1 → D1

The destination was empty. 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.

Continue with the learning path →

Understand this position

10 ranks × 9 files · 10 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 (43 plies)

Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.

  1. Red cannon E8 → E4
  2. Black advisor E2 → F3
  3. Red chariot D3 → E3
  4. Black general E1 → D1
  5. Red chariot F2 → D2
  6. Black general D1 → D2
  7. Red horse G3 → F1
  8. Black general D2 → D1
  9. Red chariot E3 → D3
  10. Black general D1 → E1
  11. Red horse F1 → E3
  12. Black advisor F3 → E2
  13. Red horse E3 → G2
  14. Black general E1 → F1
  15. Red chariot D3 → F3
  16. Black advisor E2 → F3
  17. Red cannon E4 → F4
  18. Black advisor F3 → E2
  19. Red cannon F4 → F9
  20. Black advisor E2 → F3
  21. Red soldier F5 → E5
  22. Black advisor F3 → E2
  23. Red horse D7 → F6
  24. Black advisor E2 → F3
  25. Red horse F6 → G4
  26. Black advisor F3 → E2
  27. Red horse G4 → F6
  28. Black advisor E2 → F3
  29. Red horse F6 → H5
  30. Black advisor F3 → E2
  31. Red horse H5 → F4
  32. Black advisor E2 → F3
  33. Red horse F4 → D3
  34. Black advisor F3 → E2
  35. Red horse G2 → F4
  36. Black advisor E2 → F3
  37. Red horse F4 → H3
  38. Black advisor F3 → E2
  39. Red horse H3 → F2
  40. Black advisor E2 → F3
  41. Red horse F2 → H1
  42. Black advisor F3 → E2
  43. Red horse H1 → G3
Read the rules with worked examples →

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