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Xinwu Canbian · Study 1

Xinwu Canbian · Study 1. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 35 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 soldier · G2 → G1

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 elephant · E3 → G1

It captures the soldier. It does not give check. The opponent has 33 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 soldier · H1 → G1

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

4. Black general · F1 → F2

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 33 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.

Continue with the learning path →

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 (35 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 soldier G2 → G1
  2. Black elephant E3 → G1
  3. Red soldier H1 → G1
  4. Black general F1 → F2
  5. Red chariot I6 → I2
  6. Black general F2 → F3
  7. Red chariot I2 → I3
  8. Black general F3 → F2
  9. Red chariot I3 → I2
  10. Black general F2 → F3
  11. Red chariot I7 → I3
  12. Black elephant G5 → I3
  13. Red chariot I2 → I3
  14. Black general F3 → F2
  15. Red chariot I3 → I2
  16. Black general F2 → F3
  17. Red soldier G4 → G3
  18. Black general F3 → E3
  19. Red cannon I8 → I3
  20. Black chariot F9 → F3
  21. Red cannon I3 → F3
  22. Black horse E8 → G7
  23. Red chariot I2 → I4
  24. Black chariot E1 → C1
  25. Red chariot I4 → E4
  26. Black general E3 → D3
  27. Red chariot E4 → D4
  28. Black general D3 → E3
  29. Red cannon F3 → F10
  30. Black chariot C1 → C8
  31. Red chariot D4 → D9
  32. Black chariot C8 → E8
  33. Red chariot D9 → E9
  34. Black chariot E8 → E9
  35. Red general E10 → E9
Read the rules with worked examples →

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