Endgame continuation 17
Endgame continuation 17. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Black to play. Study 21 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 soldier · E8 → D8
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 16 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 3 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Red horse · C8 → A9
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point B8 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It does not give check. The opponent has 17 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 soldier · C9 → D9
The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 1 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 3 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Red general · D10 → E10
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 16 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 · 7 red pieces · 8 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 (21 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Black soldier
E8 → D8 - Red horse
C8 → A9 - Black soldier
C9 → D9 - Red general
D10 → E10 - Black soldier
D8 → E8 - Red horse
A9 → C8 - Black horse
D7 → C9 - Red horse
C8 → D6 - Black soldier
D9 → E9 - Red general
E10 → D10 - Black soldier
E9 → F9 - Red general
D10 → D9 - Black horse
C9 → D7 - Red soldier
D4 → E4 - Black horse
D7 → B8 - Red horse
D6 → C8 - Black horse
B8 → C6 - Red horse
C8 → A9 - Black soldier
E8 → D8 - Red general
D9 → D10 - Black horse
C6 → E7