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Xinwu Canbian · Study 6

Xinwu Canbian · Study 6. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 33 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 cannon · I5 → D5

The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 9 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 chariot · D4 → D5

It captures the cannon. 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 9 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

3. Red cannon · I6 → D6

The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 7 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 15 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

4. Black chariot · D5 → E5

The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 4 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 7 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

Continue with the learning path →

Understand this position

10 ranks × 9 files · 8 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 (33 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 cannon I5 → D5
  2. Black chariot D4 → D5
  3. Red cannon I6 → D6
  4. Black chariot D5 → E5
  5. Red advisor D10 → E9
  6. Black soldier D9 → E9
  7. Red advisor F10 → E9
  8. Black soldier F9 → E9
  9. Red chariot I9 → E9
  10. Black chariot E5 → E9
  11. Red chariot E2 → E9
  12. Black cannon B9 → E9
  13. Red general E10 → E9
  14. Black soldier C9 → D9
  15. Red general E9 → D9
  16. Black soldier F8 → E8
  17. Red soldier C5 → D5
  18. Black general D3 → E3
  19. Red cannon D6 → I6
  20. Black soldier C7 → D7
  21. Red cannon I6 → I9
  22. Black soldier E8 → E9
  23. Red general D9 → D10
  24. Black soldier D7 → D8
  25. Red soldier D5 → E5
  26. Black general E3 → F3
  27. Red cannon I9 → H9
  28. Black soldier E9 → D9
  29. Red general D10 → E10
  30. Black soldier D8 → E8
  31. Red soldier E5 → F5
  32. Black general F3 → E3
  33. Red soldier F5 → E5
Read the rules with worked examples →

More positions to explore