Endgame continuation 13
Endgame continuation 13. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Black to play. Study 7 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 · I5 → I8
It captures the elephant. The cannon captures over its single screen at I7. It does not give check. The opponent has 31 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 9 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Red horse · A8 → B6
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point A7 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. 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 4 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Black cannon · I8 → I9
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.
4. Red chariot · C6 → C7
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 37 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.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 8 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 (7 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
I5 → I8 - Red horse
A8 → B6 - Black cannon
I8 → I9 - Red chariot
C6 → C7 - Black chariot
D1 → D10 - Red advisor
E9 → D10 - Black horse
I7 → H9