Endgame continuation 14
Endgame continuation 14. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 9 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 cannon · A4 → E4
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 10 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black horse · A3 → C4
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point B3 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. 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 4 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Red general · E10 → F10
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 1 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black horse · C4 → E5
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point D4 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It does not give check. The opponent has 38 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 · 11 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 (9 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Red cannon
A4 → E4 - Black horse
A3 → C4 - Red general
E10 → F10 - Black horse
C4 → E5 - Red chariot
F7 → F9 - Black cannon
D3 → D7 - Red chariot
F9 → F6 - Black cannon
D7 → E7 - Red horse
F5 → E3