Endgame continuation 3
Endgame continuation 3. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 37 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 chariot · I7 → H7
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 10 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 elephant · E3 → C1
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 3 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
3. Red soldier · G2 → F2
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 7 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.
4. Black elephant · G5 → E3
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 2 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 7 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 (37 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Red chariot
I7 → H7 - Black elephant
E3 → C1 - Red soldier
G2 → F2 - Black elephant
G5 → E3 - Red advisor
F8 → E9 - Black elephant
C1 → A3 - Red advisor
E9 → F10 - Black elephant
A3 → C1 - Red general
E10 → E9 - Black elephant
C1 → A3 - Red general
E9 → F9 - Black general
E1 → D1 - Red chariot
H7 → D7 - Black general
D1 → E1 - Red chariot
D7 → A7 - Black elephant
A3 → C1 - Red chariot
A7 → F7 - Black cannon
I6 → H6 - Red soldier
F2 → F1 - Black advisor
E2 → F1 - Red chariot
F7 → F1 - Black general
E1 → E2 - Red general
F9 → E9 - Black elephant
C1 → A3 - Red chariot
F1 → F3 - Black elephant
A3 → C5 - Red chariot
F3 → F5 - Black elephant
C5 → A3 - Red chariot
F5 → E5 - Black elephant
A3 → C1 - Red chariot
E5 → H5 - Black cannon
H6 → I6 - Red chariot
H5 → H2 - Black general
E2 → E1 - Red chariot
H2 → H1 - Black general
E1 → E2 - Red chariot
H1 → C1