Endgame continuation 12
Endgame continuation 12. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Black to play. Study 19 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 cannon · H7 → H9
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 35 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.
2. Red general · E10 → D10
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 43 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 cannon · H9 → G9
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 36 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 12 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Red advisor · E9 → F8
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.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 10 red pieces · 13 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 (19 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Black cannon
H7 → H9 - Red general
E10 → D10 - Black cannon
H9 → G9 - Red advisor
E9 → F8 - Black cannon
G8 → G10 - Red advisor
F10 → E9 - Black cannon
G9 → H9 - Red chariot
B1 → B2 - Black cannon
H9 → H10 - Red general
D10 → D9 - Black cannon
G10 → G9 - Red advisor
E9 → F10 - Black horse
G7 → F9 - Red advisor
F10 → E9 - Black chariot
E6 → E9 - Red advisor
F8 → E9 - Black horse
F9 → E7 - Red general
D9 → D10 - Black cannon
G9 → G10