What does deliberate practice look like in xiangqi?
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
Targeted work on a specific, named weakness, with fast feedback and an honest check on whether it actually worked. Playing more games alone is practice, but not deliberate practice: it lacks the focus on a known gap and the feedback loop that turns repetition into improvement rather than just more of the same habits.
The three parts that make it deliberate
- A named weakness, from honest review, not a general sense of needing to improve.
- Immediate feedback, such as puzzles with known answers, rather than games where the lesson may never surface.
- A check afterward, using the training log, to confirm the weakness actually improved.
Where casual play still fits
Playing more games is still valuable, mainly as the source of material for review and as the test of whether deliberate work has transferred to real positions. The two activities support each other rather than compete.
Related questions
Is this only for tactics?
No, the same structure works for endgame technique, opening understanding, or anything else with a clear feedback signal.
How much of my study time should be deliberate versus casual?
Most improving players benefit from weighting it toward deliberate practice, with casual games providing the raw material to review.
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