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Endgame continuation 27

1981 · Draw · Endgame continuation 27. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play, 1981. Study 64 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 chariot · E4 → H4

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 17 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 9 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

2. Black chariot · F3 → F7

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 28 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 11 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

3. Red horse · D4 → E2

The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point D3 is empty; a piece there would block this jump. 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 8 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

4. Black general · F1 → E1

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 28 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.

Continue with the learning path →

Understand this position

10 ranks × 9 files · 7 red pieces · 4 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 (64 plies)

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

  1. Red chariot E4 → H4
  2. Black chariot F3 → F7
  3. Red horse D4 → E2
  4. Black general F1 → E1
  5. Red horse E2 → C3
  6. Black general E1 → F1
  7. Red elephant I8 → G6
  8. Black chariot F7 → F5
  9. Red chariot H4 → H1
  10. Black general F1 → F2
  11. Red chariot H1 → E1
  12. Black chariot F5 → F7
  13. Red chariot E1 → D1
  14. Black chariot F7 → F4
  15. Red horse C3 → D5
  16. Black chariot F4 → F5
  17. Red chariot D1 → D4
  18. Black chariot F5 → F3
  19. Red horse D5 → F4
  20. Black general F2 → F1
  21. Red elephant G6 → I8
  22. Black general F1 → F2
  23. Red horse F4 → G6
  24. Black general F2 → F1
  25. Red advisor E9 → F8
  26. Black general F1 → F2
  27. Red horse G6 → H4
  28. Black chariot F3 → F8
  29. Red advisor D10 → E9
  30. Black chariot F8 → F6
  31. Red horse H4 → I2
  32. Black general F2 → E2
  33. Red horse I2 → H4
  34. Black chariot F6 → F7
  35. Red general E10 → D10
  36. Black general E2 → F2
  37. Red horse H4 → I2
  38. Black general F2 → E2
  39. Red horse I2 → H4
  40. Black general E2 → F2
  41. Red horse H4 → G6
  42. Black chariot F7 → F3
  43. Red horse G6 → F4
  44. Black general F2 → F1
  45. Red general D10 → E10
  46. Black general F1 → F2
  47. Red horse F4 → E6
  48. Black chariot F3 → F5
  49. Red chariot D4 → E4
  50. Black chariot F5 → F3
  51. Red horse E6 → D4
  52. Black general F2 → F1
  53. Red advisor E9 → F8
  54. Black general F1 → F2
  55. Red elephant I8 → G6
  56. Black elephant C5 → A3
  57. Red chariot E4 → H4
  58. Black chariot F3 → F7
  59. Red chariot H4 → H2
  60. Black general F2 → F1
  61. Red chariot H2 → H3
  62. Black elephant A3 → C1
  63. Red horse D4 → E2
  64. Black general F1 → E1
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