Xinwu Canbian · Study 7
Xinwu Canbian · Study 7. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 20 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 horse · F5 → G7
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point F6 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. 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 8 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black advisor · E2 → F3
It captures the cannon. 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 3 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Red horse · G7 → E8
It captures the soldier. Its horse-leg point F7 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It does not give check. The opponent has 17 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 8 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black horse · F8 → H9
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point G8 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. 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 6 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 8 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 (20 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Red horse
F5 → G7 - Black advisor
E2 → F3 - Red horse
G7 → E8 - Black horse
F8 → H9 - Red horse
E8 → G9 - Black general
F1 → E1 - Red soldier
H2 → G2 - Black elephant
E3 → G5 - Red soldier
G2 → F2 - Black horse
H9 → G7 - Red soldier
F2 → F1 - Black general
E1 → F1 - Red soldier
D2 → E2 - Black soldier
E9 → F9 - Red general
F10 → E10 - Black advisor
F3 → E2 - Red horse
G9 → F7 - Black elephant
G5 → I3 - Red soldier
C2 → D2 - Black advisor
E2 → F3