How do I use a xiangqi game database to study openings?
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
Search the database by the move sequence you actually want to understand, look at how stronger players continued from that position, and compare it against where your own games diverged. A database earns its keep as a reference to check specific positions against, not as a list to memorise from front to back.
A workable habit
After a game where your opening felt shaky, look up the position where you think it went wrong and see what the database shows as the common continuation there. That targeted use, driven by your own games, teaches far more per hour than browsing an opening tree with no question in mind.
What the numbers actually tell you
Score percentages by move are a rough guide, not gospel, since sample sizes vary a lot and the strength of the players behind any given statistic is not always clear. Treat a heavily played move with a good score as worth understanding, not as automatically correct, and check whether the idea behind it actually makes sense to you.
Related questions
Do I need a paid database to do this?
Not necessarily, some platforms offer opening explorers or searchable game archives for free; a paid database is only worth it once you are studying seriously.
Should a beginner use a database at all?
Lightly at most, understanding opening principles matters far more early on than browsing move statistics does.
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