Endgame continuation 23
Endgame continuation 23. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 31 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 horse · C4 → E3
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point D4 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. It does not give check. The opponent has 26 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.
2. Black chariot · B8 → E8
It captures the elephant. 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 13 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Red advisor · D10 → E9
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 24 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.
4. Black chariot · E8 → E4
It captures the soldier. 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 13 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 8 red pieces · 7 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 (31 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Red horse
C4 → E3 - Black chariot
B8 → E8 - Red advisor
D10 → E9 - Black chariot
E8 → E4 - Red horse
E3 → G2 - Black general
E1 → E2 - Red general
E10 → D10 - Black general
E2 → F2 - Red chariot
D5 → F5 - Black general
F2 → E2 - Red chariot
F5 → F9 - Black chariot
E4 → D4 - Red general
D10 → E10 - Black chariot
D4 → C4 - Red general
E10 → D10 - Black soldier
G6 → G7 - Red chariot
F9 → F1 - Black chariot
C4 → D4 - Red general
D10 → E10 - Black general
E2 → D2 - Red chariot
F1 → F8 - Black advisor
D1 → E2 - Red chariot
F8 → C8 - Black advisor
E2 → D3 - Red horse
G2 → E3 - Black general
D2 → E2 - Red chariot
C8 → E8 - Black general
E2 → D2 - Red horse
E3 → F1 - Black general
D2 → D1 - Red advisor
E9 → D8