Shiqing Yaqu · Study 1
Shiqing Yaqu · Study 1. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 11 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 cannon · E6 → A6
The destination was empty. 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 10 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black horse · G7 → E8
It captures the chariot. Its horse-leg point F7 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It does not give check. The opponent has 35 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 2 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Red soldier · D2 → D1
It captures the advisor. 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 3 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black general · E1 → D1
It captures the soldier. It does not give check. The opponent has 33 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 2 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 14 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 (11 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Red cannon
E6 → A6 - Black horse
G7 → E8 - Red soldier
D2 → D1 - Black general
E1 → D1 - Red chariot
C10 → C1 - Black elephant
A3 → C1 - Red cannon
A6 → A1 - Black elephant
C1 → E3 - Red horse
B3 → C1 - Black general
D1 → D2 - Red horse
H2 → F1