Xinwu Canbian · Study 10
Xinwu Canbian · Study 10. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 38 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 · H8 → H1
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 9 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black general · D1 → D2
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 45 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 chariot · D6 → D3
It captures the chariot. 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 5 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black cannon · I3 → D3
It captures the chariot. The cannon captures over its single screen at G3. It does not give check. The opponent has 42 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 · 10 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 (38 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
H8 → H1 - Black general
D1 → D2 - Red chariot
D6 → D3 - Black cannon
I3 → D3 - Red cannon
I8 → I2 - Black advisor
E2 → F3 - Red chariot
H1 → H2 - Black general
D2 → D1 - Red chariot
H2 → C2 - Black chariot
E8 → G8 - Red soldier
G3 → F3 - Black chariot
G8 → G5 - Red general
D9 → D8 - Black cannon
D3 → D4 - Red cannon
I2 → F2 - Black chariot
G5 → D5 - Red general
D8 → E8 - Black cannon
D4 → E4 - Red general
E8 → F8 - Black soldier
F9 → E9 - Red advisor
D10 → E9 - Black chariot
D5 → D3 - Red soldier
F3 → E3 - Black chariot
D3 → E3 - Red cannon
F2 → F6 - Black cannon
E4 → E9 - Red chariot
C2 → F2 - Black chariot
E3 → E7 - Red cannon
F6 → B6 - Black cannon
E9 → E10 - Red chariot
F2 → F1 - Black general
D1 → D2 - Red soldier
A2 → B2 - Black cannon
E10 → B10 - Red soldier
B2 → C2 - Black general
D2 → E2 - Red cannon
B6 → B10 - Black soldier
B9 → B10