Taolue Yuanji · Study 2
Taolue Yuanji · Study 2. 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 · 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 24 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.
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
E8 → H8 - Black soldier
D9 → E9 - Red general
E10 → D10 - Black general
E1 → F1 - Red chariot
H8 → H1 - Black general
F1 → F2 - Red chariot
H1 → H5 - Black general
F2 → F1 - Red chariot
H5 → F5 - Black general
F1 → E1 - Red chariot
F5 → G5 - Black general
E1 → F1 - Red chariot
G5 → G1 - Black general
F1 → F2 - Red chariot
G1 → G7 - Black general
F2 → F1 - Red soldier
E3 → F3 - Black general
F1 → E1 - Red chariot
G7 → D7 - Black soldier
A10 → B10 - Red chariot
D7 → E7 - Black advisor
D3 → E2 - Red chariot
E7 → E9 - Black soldier
F9 → E9 - Red elephant
G10 → E8 - Black advisor
E2 → F3