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Taolue Yuanji · Study 3

Taolue Yuanji · Study 3. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 37 reference plies, try both sides and branch from the replay.

0 pliesRed starts

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 · E8 → H8

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 18 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 13 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

2. Black soldier · D9 → E9

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.

3. Red general · E10 → D10

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 16 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.

4. Black general · E1 → F1

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 2 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

Continue with the learning path →

Understand this position

10 ranks × 9 files · 3 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 (37 plies)

Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.

  1. Red chariot E8 → H8
  2. Black soldier D9 → E9
  3. Red general E10 → D10
  4. Black general E1 → F1
  5. Red chariot H8 → H1
  6. Black general F1 → F2
  7. Red chariot H1 → H6
  8. Black general F2 → F1
  9. Red chariot H6 → F6
  10. Black general F1 → E1
  11. Red chariot F6 → G6
  12. Black general E1 → F1
  13. Red chariot G6 → G1
  14. Black general F1 → F2
  15. Red chariot G1 → G7
  16. Black general F2 → F1
  17. Red chariot G7 → G1
  18. Black general F1 → F2
  19. Red chariot G1 → G5
  20. Black general F2 → F1
  21. Red chariot G5 → F5
  22. Black general F1 → E1
  23. Red chariot F5 → B5
  24. Black general E1 → F1
  25. Red chariot B5 → B9
  26. Black soldier D7 → D8
  27. Red soldier E3 → F3
  28. Black general F1 → E1
  29. Red soldier F3 → E3
  30. Black general E1 → D1
  31. Red soldier E3 → D3
  32. Black general D1 → E1
  33. Red soldier D3 → E3
  34. Black soldier D8 → D9
  35. Red chariot B9 → D9
  36. Black soldier E9 → D9
  37. Red general D10 → D9
Read the rules with worked examples →

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