Endgame continuation 11
Endgame continuation 11. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 13 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 chariot · E7 → F7
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 41 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 13 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black elephant · C1 → E3
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 39 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 · D3 → E3
It captures the elephant. It does not give check. The opponent has 45 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.
4. Black chariot · D9 → H9
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 40 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.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 12 red pieces · 11 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 (13 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
E7 → F7 - Black elephant
C1 → E3 - Red soldier
D3 → E3 - Black chariot
D9 → H9 - Red soldier
E3 → E2 - Black chariot
B2 → E2 - Red elephant
C10 → E8 - Black chariot
H9 → H1 - Red chariot
F7 → B7 - Black chariot
E2 → E8 - Red elephant
G10 → E8 - Black cannon
G2 → E2 - Red advisor
D10 → E9