Endgame continuation 6
Endgame continuation 6. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Red to play. Study 15 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 · C5 → E5
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 31 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 17 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
2. Black advisor · D3 → E2
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 27 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 horse · F7 → G5
The destination was empty. Its horse-leg point F6 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 5 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
4. Black cannon · I2 → I3
The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 25 legal replies; compare piece coordination rather than counting checks alone. Before this move the same piece had 6 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.
Understand this position
10 ranks × 9 files · 9 red pieces · 6 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 (15 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
C5 → E5 - Black advisor
D3 → E2 - Red horse
F7 → G5 - Black cannon
I2 → I3 - Red general
D9 → E9 - Black cannon
I3 → G3 - Red horse
G5 → E4 - Black cannon
G3 → I3 - Red elephant
E8 → G6 - Black advisor
E2 → F1 - Red horse
E4 → G3 - Black cannon
I3 → I6 - Red soldier
E3 → D3 - Black advisor
D1 → E2 - Red chariot
E5 → B5