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Endgame continuation 20

Endgame continuation 20. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Black to play. Study 39 reference plies, try both sides and branch from the replay.

0 pliesBlack starts

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 horse · I9 → G8

The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point H9 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It gives check. The defender has 3 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.

2. Red cannon · G10 → G9

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 1 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

3. Black cannon · E5 → F5

The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 2 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 12 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

4. Red general · F10 → E10

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 27 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.

Continue with the learning path →

Understand this position

10 ranks × 9 files · 9 red pieces · 9 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 (39 plies)

Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.

  1. Black horse I9 → G8
  2. Red cannon G10 → G9
  3. Black cannon E5 → F5
  4. Red general F10 → E10
  5. Black horse G8 → I7
  6. Red advisor E9 → F8
  7. Black soldier C8 → D8
  8. Red cannon G9 → F9
  9. Black cannon F5 → E5
  10. Red general E10 → F10
  11. Black horse I7 → G8
  12. Red cannon F9 → G9
  13. Black cannon E5 → F5
  14. Red general F10 → F9
  15. Black horse G8 → I7
  16. Red general F9 → F10
  17. Black horse I7 → H9
  18. Red cannon G7 → G3
  19. Black soldier D8 → D9
  20. Red general F10 → E10
  21. Black horse F7 → D6
  22. Red advisor F8 → E9
  23. Black soldier D9 → E9
  24. Red general E10 → E9
  25. Black horse D6 → F7
  26. Red general E9 → E10
  27. Black horse F7 → G9
  28. Red general E10 → E9
  29. Black horse G9 → F7
  30. Red general E9 → E10
  31. Black cannon F5 → E5
  32. Red elephant E8 → C6
  33. Black horse H9 → F8
  34. Red general E10 → E9
  35. Black horse F8 → H7
  36. Red general E9 → E10
  37. Black horse H7 → G9
  38. Red general E10 → F10
  39. Black cannon E5 → F5
Read the rules with worked examples →

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