Taolue Yuanji · Study 8
Taolue Yuanji · Study 8. 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 · H10 → H1
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 11 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 42 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 · A2 → F2
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 29 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.
4. Black advisor · F3 → E2
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 37 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 · 6 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
H10 → H1 - Black advisor
E2 → F1 - Red chariot
A2 → F2 - Black advisor
F3 → E2 - Red cannon
E8 → H8 - Black chariot
E7 → E10 - Red general
F10 → E10 - Black chariot
D1 → D8 - Red general
E10 → F10 - Black general
E1 → D1 - Red chariot
F2 → E2 - Black chariot
D8 → F8 - Red general
F10 → E10 - Black chariot
F8 → F9 - Red chariot
H1 → F1 - Black chariot
F9 → F1 - Red chariot
E2 → E3 - Black cannon
A10 → D10 - Red cannon
H8 → D8 - Black chariot
F1 → F2 - Red chariot
E3 → D3 - Black chariot
F2 → D2 - Red cannon
D8 → D2 - Black cannon
D10 → D3 - Red cannon
D2 → D9 - Black cannon
D3 → E3