Find the finishing line
Find the finishing line. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 1 reference ply, 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.
Why the finish works
Compare the finish and the defensive replies
One horse changes the failed move
“Find the finishing line” adds a red horse on G3 to the first setup. The horse attacks E2 by going two files left and one rank up, provided its first orthogonal step, F3, is empty. Here it is empty.
Now I2–I1 mates: the chariot covers D1 and F1, while the horse covers E2. A3–A1 also works. These are alternative first moves from the same position, not consecutive moves in a line. A study can have more than one correct finish. Blocking F3 would remove the horse’s attack on E2 and require a fresh calculation.
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 · I2 → I1
The destination was empty. The opposing general is in check and has no legal reply: this position is checkmate. Before this move the same piece had 17 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 5 red pieces · 1 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 (1 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Red chariot
I2 → I1