Xinwu Canbian · Study 3
Xinwu Canbian · Study 3. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 40 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 soldier · E2 → E1
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 3 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black general · F1 → E1
It captures the soldier. It does not give check. The opponent has 47 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.
3. Red cannon · I6 → E6
The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 3 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 14 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black chariot · B5 → E5
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 47 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 · 9 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 (40 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Red soldier
E2 → E1 - Black general
F1 → E1 - Red cannon
I6 → E6 - Black chariot
B5 → E5 - Red chariot
I7 → I1 - Black chariot
F3 → F1 - Red chariot
I1 → F1 - Black cannon
D1 → F1 - Red chariot
H8 → H4 - Black chariot
E5 → E6 - Red soldier
E7 → E6 - Black soldier
F9 → E9 - Red general
E10 → F10 - Black soldier
D9 → D10 - Red chariot
H4 → E4 - Black general
E1 → D1 - Red soldier
D3 → D2 - Black general
D1 → D2 - Red soldier
B2 → C2 - Black general
D2 → D3 - Red chariot
E4 → D4 - Black general
D3 → E3 - Red chariot
D4 → D10 - Black soldier
I9 → H9 - Red chariot
D10 → E10 - Black soldier
E9 → E10 - Red general
F10 → F9 - Black soldier
H9 → G9 - Red general
F9 → F8 - Black cannon
F1 → E1 - Red soldier
G3 → F3 - Black general
E3 → E2 - Red soldier
C2 → D2 - Black general
E2 → D2 - Red soldier
E6 → E5 - Black general
D2 → E2 - Red soldier
E5 → D5 - Black cannon
E1 → F1 - Red soldier
F3 → G3 - Black soldier
A9 → B9