Taolue Yuanji · Study 5
Taolue Yuanji · Study 5. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 16 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 · C2 → C3
It captures the horse. 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 4 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black elephant · E3 → C5
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 20 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.
3. Red chariot · C3 → C1
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 9 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black cannon · C8 → C1
It captures the chariot. The cannon captures over its single screen at C5. It does not give check. The opponent has 11 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 · 7 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 (16 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
C2 → C3 - Black elephant
E3 → C5 - Red chariot
C3 → C1 - Black cannon
C8 → C1 - Red soldier
B1 → C1 - Black soldier
E8 → F8 - Red advisor
E9 → F8 - Black general
E1 → F1 - Red soldier
G3 → F3 - Black soldier
G7 → F7 - Red soldier
D2 → E2 - Black chariot
G9 → G2 - Red soldier
F3 → F2 - Black chariot
G2 → F2 - Red soldier
E2 → F2 - Black general
F1 → F2