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Endgame continuation 1

1981 · Black won · Endgame continuation 1. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Black to play, 1981. Study 43 reference plies, try both sides and branch from the replay.

0 pliesBlack 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. Black soldier · C7 → C8

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 16 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.

2. Red chariot · E4 → E6

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 25 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 10 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

3. Black chariot · G5 → C5

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 21 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 17 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

4. Red chariot · E6 → D6

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 25 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 14 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

Continue with the learning path →

Understand this position

10 ranks × 9 files · 5 red pieces · 6 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 (43 plies)

Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.

  1. Black soldier C7 → C8
  2. Red chariot E4 → E6
  3. Black chariot G5 → C5
  4. Red chariot E6 → D6
  5. Black soldier D7 → E7
  6. Red soldier D4 → E4
  7. Black soldier C8 → C9
  8. Red soldier E4 → F4
  9. Black general E1 → F1
  10. Red advisor E9 → D10
  11. Black chariot C5 → F5
  12. Red soldier F4 → G4
  13. Black general F1 → E1
  14. Red chariot D6 → E6
  15. Black soldier E7 → F7
  16. Red advisor D10 → E9
  17. Black chariot F5 → C5
  18. Red chariot E6 → D6
  19. Black soldier F7 → E7
  20. Red soldier G4 → F4
  21. Black general E1 → F1
  22. Red advisor E9 → D10
  23. Black soldier E7 → E8
  24. Red advisor F10 → E9
  25. Black chariot C5 → G5
  26. Red chariot D6 → E6
  27. Black chariot G5 → G10
  28. Red advisor E9 → F10
  29. Black soldier E8 → D8
  30. Red advisor D10 → E9
  31. Black soldier D8 → D9
  32. Red chariot E6 → D6
  33. Black chariot G10 → G7
  34. Red advisor E9 → D10
  35. Black chariot G7 → F7
  36. Red soldier F4 → G4
  37. Black chariot F7 → E7
  38. Red advisor F10 → E9
  39. Black general F1 → E1
  40. Red soldier G4 → G3
  41. Black soldier D9 → D10
  42. Red chariot D6 → D10
  43. Black advisor E2 → D3
Read the rules with worked examples →

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