Taolue Yuanji · Study 7
Taolue Yuanji · Study 7. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 33 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 · H3 → H1
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 6 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black elephant · E3 → G1
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 38 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 · G4 → E4
The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 3 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 13 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black advisor · E2 → D3
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 3 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 5 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 (33 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
H3 → H1 - Black elephant
E3 → G1 - Red cannon
G4 → E4 - Black advisor
E2 → D3 - Red cannon
E4 → E9 - Black soldier
E8 → D8 - Red horse
H4 → G2 - Black general
E1 → E2 - Red horse
G2 → F4 - Black general
E2 → F2 - Red horse
F4 → D3 - Black general
F2 → E2 - Red horse
D3 → C1 - Black general
E2 → E1 - Red horse
C1 → D3 - Black general
E1 → E2 - Red horse
D3 → F4 - Black general
E2 → E1 - Red horse
F4 → G2 - Black general
E1 → E2 - Red cannon
H1 → H2 - Black chariot
H10 → H2 - Red chariot
D6 → D8 - Black chariot
H2 → G2 - Red chariot
D8 → D2 - Black general
E2 → E1 - Red chariot
D2 → G2 - Black soldier
B9 → C9 - Red chariot
G2 → G7 - Black soldier
F9 → F10 - Red chariot
G7 → G10 - Black soldier
F10 → G10 - Red cannon
E9 → E7