Taolue Yuanji · Study 12
Taolue Yuanji · Study 12. 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 soldier · G2 → G1
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 3 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black advisor · E2 → F1
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 23 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 soldier · G1 → F1
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 2 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black elephant · E3 → G1
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 22 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 (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 soldier
G2 → G1 - Black advisor
E2 → F1 - Red soldier
G1 → F1 - Black elephant
E3 → G1 - Red chariot
H9 → G9 - Black chariot
E9 → G9 - Red general
F10 → E10 - Black horse
D9 → F8 - Red general
E10 → F10 - Black chariot
G9 → E9 - Red soldier
F1 → G1 - Black chariot
E9 → E1 - Red soldier
G1 → F1 - Black horse
F8 → D9 - Red general
F10 → F9 - Black horse
D9 → E7 - Red general
F9 → E9 - Black horse
E7 → G8 - Red general
E9 → F9 - Black horse
G8 → F6 - Red cannon
I1 → E1 - Black horse
F6 → G4 - Red cannon
E1 → E10 - Black horse
G4 → H2 - Red soldier
F1 → G1 - Black horse
H2 → I4 - Red soldier
G1 → F1 - Black horse
I4 → G3 - Red cannon
E10 → A10