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Shiqing Yaqu · Study 2

Shiqing Yaqu · Study 2. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 39 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 chariot · 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 9 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

2. Black advisor · E2 → D1

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 53 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 · B1 → B2

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 6 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 57 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 · 12 red pieces · 14 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 (39 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 chariot B5 → B1
  2. Black advisor E2 → D1
  3. Red chariot B1 → B2
  4. Black advisor D1 → E2
  5. Red cannon C9 → C1
  6. Black horse A3 → B1
  7. Red cannon C1 → C9
  8. Black advisor E2 → D1
  9. Red chariot B2 → E2
  10. Black advisor F1 → E2
  11. Red horse D4 → C2
  12. Black general E1 → F1
  13. Red chariot B6 → F6
  14. Black cannon E3 → F3
  15. Red chariot F6 → F3
  16. Black advisor E2 → F3
  17. Red cannon C9 → F9
  18. Black advisor F3 → E2
  19. Red horse G10 → F8
  20. Black advisor E2 → F3
  21. Red horse F8 → H7
  22. Black advisor F3 → E2
  23. Red horse H7 → F6
  24. Black advisor E2 → F3
  25. Red horse F6 → E4
  26. Black advisor F3 → E2
  27. Red horse E4 → G3
  28. Black general F1 → F2
  29. Red horse G3 → E4
  30. Black general F2 → F1
  31. Red horse E4 → F6
  32. Black advisor E2 → F3
  33. Red horse F6 → G4
  34. Black advisor F3 → E2
  35. Red horse G4 → H2
  36. Black general F1 → F2
  37. Red horse H2 → F3
  38. Black general F2 → F3
  39. Red soldier G5 → F5
Read the rules with worked examples →

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