How can a soldier that has crossed the river create tactical threats of its own?
These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws and is regression-tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it against the engine before publishing.
Direct answer
Once a soldier crosses the river it gains the ability to move sideways as well as forward, which turns a piece most beginners treat as purely defensive into a genuine tactical tool: it can block an escape square, support a horse or cannon's attack, or directly threaten a piece the opponent cannot afford to defend with anything more valuable.
Why the sideways move matters so much
A soldier that can only push forward is predictable and easy to defend against, but one that can also step sideways can suddenly attack a piece on an adjacent file or slide into a square that closes off a general's escape route. That flexibility is exactly what most beginners underestimate about advanced soldiers.
Where this shows up most often in practice
Near the enemy palace, an advanced soldier is frequently the piece that finally seals a mating net, not because it is powerful on its own but because it is cheap to lose and can occupy a square none of your other pieces can safely reach. Losing it to prevent a mate is often still a terrible trade for the defender.
Related questions
Is a crossed soldier as strong as a horse or cannon?
No, on its own it is worth much less, but its low value combined with the sideways move gives it a specific tactical role the stronger pieces cannot fill as cheaply.
Should I always push soldiers forward once they cross?
Not automatically; consider whether a sideways move creates a real threat before advancing further.
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