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Xinwu Canbian · Study 4

Xinwu Canbian · Study 4. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 34 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 · E6 → D6

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

2. Black general · D1 → E1

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 22 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 → C6

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 32 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.

4. Black soldier · B10 → C10

It captures the elephant. 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 2 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

Continue with the learning path →

Understand this position

10 ranks × 9 files · 7 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 (34 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 E6 → D6
  2. Black general D1 → E1
  3. Red chariot D6 → C6
  4. Black soldier B10 → C10
  5. Red chariot C6 → C10
  6. Black soldier E9 → D9
  7. Red general D10 → E10
  8. Black soldier D7 → C7
  9. Red chariot C10 → C7
  10. Black general E1 → D1
  11. Red chariot C7 → D7
  12. Black general D1 → E1
  13. Red chariot D7 → D9
  14. Black cannon G8 → I8
  15. Red chariot D9 → F9
  16. Black chariot G1 → G10
  17. Red general E10 → E9
  18. Black chariot G10 → B10
  19. Red chariot F9 → F8
  20. Black chariot B10 → B2
  21. Red chariot F8 → I8
  22. Black chariot B2 → F2
  23. Red chariot I8 → I9
  24. Black chariot F2 → F8
  25. Red chariot I9 → I5
  26. Black chariot F8 → E8
  27. Red general E9 → F9
  28. Black chariot E8 → E6
  29. Red chariot I5 → F5
  30. Black chariot E6 → A6
  31. Red chariot F5 → E5
  32. Black general E1 → D1
  33. Red general F9 → E9
  34. Black chariot A6 → D6
Read the rules with worked examples →

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