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Endgame continuation 9

Endgame continuation 9. Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Black to play. Study 33 reference plies, try both sides and branch from the replay.

0 pliesBlack 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. Black chariot · G5 → B5

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 16 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

2. Red elephant · E8 → C10

The destination was empty. It does not give check. The opponent has 37 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. Black chariot · B5 → B10

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 17 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

4. Red chariot · D4 → C4

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 16 legal destinations; other legal moves are not thereby proved equally strong.

Continue with the learning path →

Understand this position

10 ranks × 9 files · 9 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 (33 plies)

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

  1. Black chariot G5 → B5
  2. Red elephant E8 → C10
  3. Black chariot B5 → B10
  4. Red chariot D4 → C4
  5. Black cannon I6 → A6
  6. Red general E10 → D10
  7. Black cannon A6 → A10
  8. Red general D10 → D9
  9. Black chariot B10 → B9
  10. Red general D9 → D8
  11. Black horse H7 → G5
  12. Red general D8 → E8
  13. Black chariot B9 → B6
  14. Red cannon I4 → E4
  15. Black advisor E2 → D3
  16. Red soldier E6 → E5
  17. Black chariot B6 → B8
  18. Red advisor E9 → D8
  19. Black chariot B8 → B5
  20. Red soldier E5 → F5
  21. Black horse G5 → F7
  22. Red general E8 → F8
  23. Black horse F7 → D6
  24. Red chariot C4 → C1
  25. Black general E1 → E2
  26. Red cannon E4 → E5
  27. Black horse D6 → F5
  28. Red chariot C1 → C2
  29. Black general E2 → E1
  30. Red cannon E5 → E9
  31. Black horse F5 → G7
  32. Red elephant C10 → E8
  33. Black horse G7 → E6
Read the rules with worked examples →

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