Endgame continuation 10
Endgame continuation 10. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Black to play. Study 25 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. Black horse · F7 → D6
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point E7 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It does not give check. The opponent has 34 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 8 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Red soldier · C6 → C5
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 34 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. Black horse · D6 → E8
It captures the elephant. Its horse-leg point D7 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. 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 6 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Red chariot · D5 → D8
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 5 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 10 red pieces · 10 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 (25 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Black horse
F7 → D6 - Red soldier
C6 → C5 - Black horse
D6 → E8 - Red chariot
D5 → D8 - Black horse
E8 → G9 - Red general
D9 → D10 - Black chariot
F9 → E9 - Red chariot
D8 → F8 - Black advisor
E2 → F3 - Red chariot
F8 → F3 - Black general
F1 → E1 - Red cannon
H4 → H9 - Black chariot
E9 → E10 - Red general
D10 → D9 - Black horse
G9 → E8 - Red general
D9 → D8 - Black cannon
I9 → I8 - Red chariot
F3 → F8 - Black chariot
E10 → D10 - Red cannon
H9 → D9 - Black horse
E8 → F10 - Red chariot
F8 → F9 - Black chariot
D10 → D9 - Red chariot
F9 → D9 - Black horse
F10 → G8