Taolue Yuanji · Study 9
Taolue Yuanji · Study 9. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 26 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 chariot · I7 → F7
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 8 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black chariot · F9 → F7
It captures the chariot. It does not give check. The opponent has 28 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 horse · F10 → E8
It captures the horse. Its horse-leg point F9 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It does not give check. The opponent has 41 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 3 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black chariot · D9 → I9
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 32 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 17 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 7 red pieces · 8 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 (26 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Red chariot
I7 → F7 - Black chariot
F9 → F7 - Red horse
F10 → E8 - Black chariot
D9 → I9 - Red cannon
I8 → F8 - Black chariot
F7 → F8 - Red chariot
I6 → I9 - Black chariot
F8 → E8 - Red general
E10 → D10 - Black chariot
E8 → F8 - Red chariot
I9 → G9 - Black cannon
E1 → D1 - Red chariot
G9 → G2 - Black chariot
F8 → F5 - Red soldier
E2 → F2 - Black general
F1 → E1 - Red soldier
H1 → G1 - Black chariot
F5 → D5 - Red general
D10 → E10 - Black chariot
D5 → E5 - Red general
E10 → D10 - Black elephant
E3 → G5 - Red soldier
F2 → E2 - Black chariot
E5 → E2 - Red chariot
G2 → E2 - Black general
E1 → E2