Endgame continuation 26
Endgame continuation 26. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 13 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 · B1 → B8
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 22 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 15 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black cannon · I10 → I8
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 4 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Red advisor · E9 → F8
The destination was empty. 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 1 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black elephant · E3 → C5
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 34 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.
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 (13 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
B1 → B8 - Black cannon
I10 → I8 - Red advisor
E9 → F8 - Black elephant
E3 → C5 - Red soldier
E4 → F4 - Black advisor
E2 → D3 - Red general
D8 → E8 - Black advisor
F3 → E2 - Red cannon
B8 → B2 - Black chariot
B9 → B2 - Red soldier
F4 → F3 - Black advisor
E2 → F3 - Red chariot
H5 → H2