Endgame continuation 18
Endgame continuation 18. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 15 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 · E7 → F7
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 11 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.
2. Black cannon · F6 → F5
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 18 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 7 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Red general · E10 → E9
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 14 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.
4. Black general · F1 → E1
The destination was empty. 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 2 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 6 red pieces · 4 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 (15 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
E7 → F7 - Black cannon
F6 → F5 - Red general
E10 → E9 - Black general
F1 → E1 - Red soldier
F4 → F3 - Black cannon
F5 → F8 - Red cannon
F7 → C7 - Black general
E1 → F1 - Red soldier
F3 → E3 - Black general
F1 → F2 - Red general
E9 → F9 - Black cannon
F8 → F5 - Red cannon
C7 → C10 - Black cannon
F5 → F7 - Red cannon
C10 → F10