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Endgame continuation 24

Endgame continuation 24. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 35 reference plies, try both sides and branch from the replay.

0 pliesRed 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. Red soldier · G2 → F2

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

2. Black cannon · D2 → D3

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 38 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 cannon · G6 → G1

The destination was empty. It gives check. The defender has 1 legal replies in this position; inspect the actual reply before assuming a win. Before this move the same piece had 11 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

4. Black general · D1 → D2

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 39 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 · 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 (35 plies)

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

Red soldier G2 → F2
Black cannon D2 → D3
Red cannon G6 → G1
Black general D1 → D2
Red chariot D4 → A4
Black cannon D3 → G3
Red chariot A4 → D4
Black cannon G3 → D3
Red soldier F2 → G2
Black chariot F6 → F7
Red soldier A7 → A6
Black chariot F7 → A7
Red chariot D4 → D6
Black chariot A7 → I7
Red soldier A6 → A5
Black chariot I7 → E7
Red soldier A5 → A4
Black chariot E7 → E8
Red soldier A4 → B4
Black chariot E8 → E4
Red soldier B4 → B3
Black chariot E4 → C4
Red soldier G2 → F2
Black advisor E2 → F3
Red cannon G1 → G8
Black advisor F1 → E2
Red cannon G8 → D8
Black soldier I4 → I5
Red cannon D8 → D10
Black soldier I5 → I6
Red soldier B3 → C3
Black chariot C4 → C3
Red chariot D6 → D3
Black general D2 → D3
Red advisor E9 → D8

Read the rules with worked examples →