Taolue Yuanji · Study 11
Taolue Yuanji · Study 11. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 15 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 · G2 → F4
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point G3 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. 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 4 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black general · E1 → D1
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 27 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 cannon · H5 → D5
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 24 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 16 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black general · D1 → D2
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 21 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 · 4 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 (15 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
G2 → F4 - Black general
E1 → D1 - Red cannon
H5 → D5 - Black general
D1 → D2 - Red soldier
F2 → E2 - Black advisor
F1 → E2 - Red horse
F4 → E2 - Black soldier
F9 → E9 - Red general
E10 → E9 - Black cannon
I10 → D10 - Red cannon
D5 → D10 - Black soldier
C9 → D9 - Red general
E9 → D9 - Black general
D2 → E2 - Red cannon
D10 → D6