Taolue Yuanji · Study 6
Taolue Yuanji · Study 6. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 23 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 · I8 → F8
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 10 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black soldier · E8 → F8
It captures the cannon. 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 soldier · F3 → F2
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.
4. Black general · F1 → F2
It captures the soldier. It does not give check. The opponent has 25 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 · 7 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 (23 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
I8 → F8 - Black soldier
E8 → F8 - Red soldier
F3 → F2 - Black general
F1 → F2 - Red chariot
G10 → G2 - Black general
F2 → F1 - Red chariot
I9 → H9 - Black soldier
F9 → E9 - Red chariot
H9 → E9 - Black soldier
D9 → E9 - Red general
E10 → E9 - Black chariot
E1 → A1 - Red soldier
D2 → E2 - Black soldier
F8 → F9 - Red general
E9 → D9 - Black chariot
A1 → D1 - Red soldier
E2 → D2 - Black chariot
D1 → B1 - Red soldier
D2 → E2 - Black chariot
B1 → D1 - Red soldier
E2 → D2 - Black chariot
D1 → B1 - Red soldier
D2 → E2