Endgame continuation 5
Endgame continuation 5. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Black to play. Study 21 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. Black chariot · D10 → D7
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 29 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.
2. Red general · F8 → F9
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 32 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. Black chariot · D7 → F7
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 16 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Red general · F9 → E9
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.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 7 red pieces · 8 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 (21 plies)
Coordinates match this board: letters left to right, row numbers from top to bottom. These are board coordinates, not traditional score notation.
- Black chariot
D10 → D7 - Red general
F8 → F9 - Black chariot
D7 → F7 - Red general
F9 → E9 - Black horse
F6 → D7 - Red general
E9 → D9 - Black chariot
F7 → F9 - Red general
D9 → D8 - Black general
E1 → F1 - Red cannon
I5 → D5 - Black horse
D7 → B8 - Red general
D8 → E8 - Black horse
B8 → C10 - Red cannon
D5 → D10 - Black chariot
F9 → F6 - Red general
E8 → E9 - Black chariot
F6 → E6 - Red general
E9 → D9 - Black chariot
E6 → E8 - Red cannon
D10 → E10 - Black chariot
E8 → D8