Endgame continuation 21
Endgame continuation 21. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red 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. Red cannon · C4 → I4
It captures the soldier. The cannon captures over its single screen at E4. 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 10 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black general · E1 → F1
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 33 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. Red horse · E4 → G3
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point F4 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. 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 4 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black general · F1 → F2
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 33 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 · 10 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 (21 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
C4 → I4 - Black general
E1 → F1 - Red horse
E4 → G3 - Black general
F1 → F2 - Red cannon
I4 → F4 - Black cannon
E5 → E8 - Red general
E10 → F10 - Black cannon
E8 → C8 - Red soldier
E7 → E6 - Black cannon
C8 → C3 - Red horse
G3 → H1 - Black general
F2 → F1 - Red cannon
G1 → G5 - Black horse
D9 → C7 - Red cannon
G5 → I5 - Black general
F1 → E1 - Red cannon
I5 → I1 - Black advisor
E2 → F1 - Red horse
H1 → G3 - Black advisor
F1 → E2 - Red cannon
F4 → F1