Planting maize and soybean in a narrow‐wide‐row pattern in a relay‐intercropping system can increase the seed yield of soybean and maintain the yield of maize. This planting arrangement boosts the radiation use efficiency of both crops, leading to higher overall productivity. By spacing the plants appropriately, soybean becomes more competitive, resulting in a significant increase in its yield while still supporting the growth of maize. In this study, the narrow‐wide‐row arrangement improved the total radiation use efficiency of both crops and achieved a land equivalent ratio of 1.7, indicating a successful intercropping system.