How do I tell if an endgame is a theoretical draw?
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
Compare the material on both sides against the known table, separately from the raw point count. A theoretical draw in xiangqi is a specific, learnable fact about a material combination, most commonly a lone chariot against a full defence, rather than a feeling about who is "better", so the check is closer to a lookup than a judgement.
What to check first
Count the defender's advisors and elephants before anything else. If both pairs are intact against a single attacking piece, you are very likely looking at a known draw, exactly the situation in chariot versus a full defence, regardless of how the rest of the material compares.
Where it stops being theoretical
Once the defence is missing even one advisor, the position usually leaves known-draw territory and becomes winning for the attacker. The table changes sharply at that point, which is exactly why the advisor is worth more than its nominal value suggests.
Related questions
Is every reduced material endgame a draw?
No, only specific combinations. Two horses or a horse and cannon against a bare general still force mate, for example.
Should I play on if I think it is theoretically drawn?
If you are the attacker, only if you believe the opponent might err; if you are the defender, playing accurately should hold regardless.
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