Shiqing Yaqu · Study 4
Shiqing Yaqu · Study 4. 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 horse · D5 → C3
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point D4 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. 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 6 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 38 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 · B10 → B2
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 10 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black general · D2 → D3
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.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 12 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 (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 horse
D5 → C3 - Black general
D1 → D2 - Red chariot
B10 → B2 - Black general
D2 → D3 - Red soldier
C4 → D4 - Black general
D3 → E3 - Red horse
C3 → E4 - Black general
E3 → F3 - Red horse
E4 → G5 - Black general
F3 → F2 - Red horse
G5 → H3 - Black general
F2 → F3 - Red horse
H3 → G1 - Black general
F3 → F2 - Red horse
G1 → H3 - Black general
F2 → F3 - Red chariot
B2 → B3 - Black elephant
C1 → E3 - Red cannon
E5 → I5 - Black chariot
I10 → I8 - Red horse
H3 → G5 - Black general
F3 → F2 - Red chariot
B3 → E3 - Black horse
G7 → H9 - Red chariot
E3 → F3 - Black advisor
E2 → F3 - Red horse
G5 → E4 - Black general
F2 → E2 - Red cannon
I5 → E5