Endgame continuation 19
Endgame continuation 19. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Black 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. Black cannon · A5 → A10
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 20 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 soldier · I3 → H3
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 30 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.
3. Black soldier · B9 → C9
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 21 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. Red horse · D4 → C6
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point D5 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It does not give check. The opponent has 30 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 8 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 8 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 (15 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
A5 → A10 - Red soldier
I3 → H3 - Black soldier
B9 → C9 - Red horse
D4 → C6 - Black soldier
D7 → C7 - Red cannon
F4 → E4 - Black soldier
C9 → D9 - Red horse
C6 → A7 - Black soldier
F6 → F7 - Red horse
A7 → B5 - Black soldier
F7 → F8 - Red horse
B5 → C7 - Black soldier
F8 → F9 - Red general
F10 → E10 - Black soldier
D9 → E9