Xiangqi End Game: Horse variations: Horse act as Advisor draws Cingle Chariot

Xiangqi End Game: Horse variations: Horse act as Advisor draws Single Chariot

Red move first

1. H4+2

As shown, Red horse acting as an advisor could draw the game.

2015 14th World XiangQi Championship Men's Individual game: Round 1 Dmitry RUMYANTSEV (Russia) wins Norbert Wagner（Germany)

2015 14th World XiangQi Championship Men's Individual game: 

Dmitry RUMYANTSEV (Russia) wins Norbert Wagner（Germany)

http://wxf.org/xq/14wxc/20.html

Event: 2015 14th World Xiangqi Championship
Date: 22nd August 2015

Venue: University of Applied Languages (SDI), Munich, Germany

Both players are in action. Left is Dmitry RUMYANTSEV (Russia) ; Right is  Norbert Wagner（Germany).

Xiangqi End Game: Horse variation: Single Horse positional draws Single Cannon two Advisor one Pawn

Xiangqi End Game: Horse variation: Single Horse positional draws Single Cannon two Advisor one Pawn

Red would able to draw the game because Black's king is unable to stand at center line.

Xiangqi End Game: Horse Variation: Single Horse draws Cannon with 2 advisors

Xiangqi End Game: Horse Variation: Single Horse draws Cannon with 2 advisors

Red's horse must follow Black's cannon in order to draw the game.

Xiangqi End Game: Horse variations: Single Horse Positional wins Single Pawn

Xiangqi End Game: Horse variations: Single Horse Positional wins Single Pawn

In most cases. single horse could not win single pawn.
However, if Black's pawn was not crossed the river and the horse would manage to prevent pawn crossing the river, then Red might has good chance to win the game.

Xiangqi End Game: Horse Variation: Single horse sure draw single elephant (Black's king and elephant not on same flank)

Xiangqi End Game: Horse Variation: Single horse sure draw single elephant (Black's king and elephant not on same flank)


Red could not win the game since Black's king and elephant are not on same flank (as shown).

Red move first

  1. H4+6  E3-5    2. H6+8  E5+3
  3. K5+1  K6-1

   If Black K6+1 (?)

      3. ......... K6+1
      4. H8-6  E3-5    5. H6-5  K6-1
      6. H5+3  K6-1    7. H3+5 

Red would have gained the elephant and wins.

  4. H8+6  E3-1    5. H6-5  K6+1
  6. H5-7  E1+3    7. H7+8  K6-1

      Draw

Xiangqi End Game: Horse variation: Single horse sure wins single elephant (Black's King and elephant on same flank)

Xiangqi End Game: Horse variation: Single horse sure wins single elephant (King and elephant on same flank)

Single horse vs single elephant, win or draw? This is depends on the position of elephant. If the elephant and the king are on different side of flank, then this is a draw. However, if the elephant and king are on same flank, then Red would able to win the game (as below).
The trick is Red horse must control the center line and must not allow elephant moves to the other flank.

Red moves first

  1. H1+3  K4-1    2. K5+1  K4+1

  3. H3+2  K4-1    4. H2+4  E3-1

  5. H4-3  E1+3    6. H3-4  K4+1

  7. H4-6  K4-1    8. H6+7

Red would have gained the elephant and wins.

Xiangqi End Game: Horse variation: Single horse positional wins two advisors

Xiangqi End Game: Horse variation: Single horse positional wins two advisors

In most cases, single horse could not wins two advisors. However, Red could win this game due to his horse is in a better position.

Red move first

  1. H9+8  A5-6  

If Black play A5+6, Red H2-3 followed by H3-5. Red could have gained the advisor.

  2. H8-7  K5-1
  3. K4+1  K5-1  

Red K4+1 was an excellent move! This force Black to play K5-1.

  4. H7+8  A6+5
  5. K4+1

Red K4+1 was another excellent move. Red could have gained advisor in next move.

Xiangqi End Game: Horse variations: Single horse sure wins Single advisor

Xiangqi End Game: Horse variations: Single horse sure wins Single advisor

Single horse sure wins single advisor.

Game 1

Red moves first
This is the most basic end game for single horse.
Red could win the game in 7 moves:

  1. H4-5  K4+1    2. H5+3 A5+6  
  3. H3-4  A6-5     4. H4+6  A5-6  
  5. H6+8  A6+5   6. H8+7  K4-1  
  7. H7-5

  Red sure wins after captured Black's  advisor

Game 2

Black moves first
Red could win the game in 8 moves even though Black moves first.

  0. …………  K4-1    1. H4-5  A5+6
  2. H5+7  K4+1    3. K5+1  …………

 ！

    

  3. …………  K4+1    4. H7-8  A6-5
  5. H8+6  A5-6    6. H6+8  A6+5

  7. H8+7  K4-1    8. H7-5

If Black moved his advisor in the first move, please refer to previous game.

Red sure wins after captured Black's  advisor

Xiangqi End Game: Chariot Pawn Combinations

Xiangqi End Game: Chariot Pawn Combinations

Red moves first and wins. 

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combination #3 (with Answers)

Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combination #3 (with Answers)

Red moves first and wins.

Game 1

Answer for Game 1

  1. C7+1  H2-3    2. K5=4  P1=2
  3. C7-1  H3+2    4. A4+5  P2=1
  5. C7=8  P1+1    6. C8=7  P1+1
  7. C7=3  P1+1    8. K4-1  H2-3
  9. C3=9  H3+2   10. C9=6  H2+4
 11. A5-6

Game 2

Answer for Game 2

  1. P2=3  K6=5    2. C9+1  H4-3
  3. C9-6  H3+4    4. C9=1  H4+5
  5. C1=5  P8=7    6. K5=4  P7=6

  7. C5+1  P6=5    8. P3=4

Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combination #2 (with answers)

Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combination #2 (with answers)

Red moves first and wins.

Game 1

Answer Game 1

  1. C4=6  C7=4    2. A6-5  C4=5
  3. K5=6  C5=7    4. A5+6  C7=4
  5. C6+2  P3=4    6. A6-5  K4-1
  7. P5+1

Game 2

Answer for Game 2

  1. P6+1  E1-3    2. C1=5  E3+1
  3. P6=5  E1+3    4. P5=6  K4=5
  5. K5=4  K5+1    6. C5=6  E3-1
  7. C6=8  E1-3    8. C8+2  K5-1

  9. P6+1

Xiangqi Book Preview: The XiangQi Master From The Cave

Xiangqi Books Preview: The XiangQi Master From The Cave

Please provide your feedback at below link.

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Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combination #3

Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combination #3

Red moves first and wins.

Game 1

Game 2

Xiangqi book: The XiangQi Master From The Cave is now available for sell

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The XiangQi Master From The Cave 


Paperback Book is now available for sale on line.

Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combination #2

Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combination #2

Red moves first and wins.

Game 1

Game 2

Answers will be posted later on.

Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combination #1 (with answers)

Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combination #1 (with answer)

Red moves first and wins.

Game 1

Answer for Game 1

  1. C5=7  A4+5    2. K6=5  C7-1
  3. C7=4  C7-2    4. C4=3  C7-3
  5. C3+4  C7-1    6. C3+1  C7-1
  7. C3+1  C7=8    8. C3+1

Game 2

Answer for Game 2

  1. P7+1 K4-1    2. P7+1  K4+1

  3. C3+6

Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combinations

Xiangqi End Game: Cannon Pawn Combination #1

Red moves first and wins.

Game 1

Game 2

Answer will be provided.

XQ Flash Board by using xqbase

Xiangqi Flash Board - How to

You can follow below link to learn how to generate Xiangqi board on your website/blog.

 http://chessbank.blogspot.my/2010/06/how-to-post-xiangqi-quiz.html

Xiangqi Opening: Central Cannon vs Left Stacked Double Cannons

Xiangqi Opening: Central Cannon vs Left Stacked Double Cannons

1. C2=5  C8+1
2. H2+3  C2=8

This is one of the rare Xiangqi Openings uses by Black to against Red's central cannon.

C8+1 is to protect the center pawn
C2=8 is to prevent Red to play R1=2

3. R1+1  P9+1

Since Red R1=2 is not possible, Red normally will play R1+1 to develop his right chariot.
Black P9+1 is one of the variation to counter-play Red's R1+1.

Below is one of the example:

  1. C2=5      C8+1  
  2. H2+3      C2=8  
  3. R1+1      P9+1
  4. R1=6     P9+1  
  5. P1+1      R9+5  
  6. R6+7      R9+4
  7. E3+1      H8+9  
  8. R6=8     H9+8  
  9. C8+7      H8+6  
 10. H3-5      H6+8  
 11. C5=4      H8+7  
 12. C4-1      R9-2  
 13. H5+7      R1+2
 14. R8=6      C++6  
 15. A4+5      C+=9  
 16. A5+4      R9=6  
 17. R9+1      C8+7  
 18. K5+1      R6+1  
 19. K5=4      R1=6  

 20. K4=5      C8-1        Black wins.

Xiangqi Opening: Blind Dog Gambit Variation

Xiangqi Opening: Blind Dog Gambit


1.P3+1    P7+1
2.P3+1    E7+5
3.P3+1   H8+6
4.P3=4   R9=7
5.E3+5    R7+8
6.C2=4    H6+4

This is one of the Pawn's Opening variation. Red played P3+1, while Black responded with P7+1. Black sacrificed his pawn to gain initiative by rapidly development of his chariot.
As seen, Black developed his pieces by threatening to capture the crossed river Red's pawn. In order to safe his pawn, Red moved his pawn several times just like a blind dog. This is the reason we named the opening variation as Blind Dog Gambit.

Xiangqi Opening: Triple Hammer Horse Variation

Triple Hammer Horse Variation (盖马三锤)


1.  C2=5  H8+7   2.  H2+3  R9=8
3.  R1=2  H2+3   4.  P7+1  P7+1
5.  C8=7  R1=2   6.  H8+9  C2+4
7.  P7+1  P3+1   8.  H9+7  E3+5
9.  H7+5

This opening variation was based on 57 Cannons vs Screen Horse Defense, which then further invented by Peng ShuSheng (1874-1960) from LanZhou, China. With this variation, Red would be managed to develop his horse rapidly and gained initiative.

The name "Triple Hammer" are referring to ply number 7, 8 and 9.

First hammer: 7. P7+1, Red sacrificed the 7th pawn to give way for Red's left horse

Second hammer: 8. H9+7, developed the left's horse

Third hammer: 9. H7+5, placed the left's horse on a ideal position. As seen, the horse would be prepared to attack with H5+6 or H5+4, while the cannon was threatening C7+5 to capture the Black's right horse.

Turned my eBook into real physical book

I had followed the instruction from Youtube and managed to produce the real physical book as shown below photos.

Things we can learn from young xiangqi players

Things we can learn from young xiangqi players

A game within two primary students.

Fan RenChen, 12 years old now. He is the xiangqi champion for NS State Primary School Student Tournament. He played Red in this game.

Loo WeiHao, 11 years old now. Recently, he has represented Malaysia National Xiangqi Team against player from Singapore under Primary Student Category.

Both of them are the Xiangqi rising stars from NS State,Malaysia.

This game was played on 2nd July 2016 at Seremban.

  1. C2=5  H8+7    2. H2+3  P7+1

Red have started with Central Cannon Opening, while Black has responded with Screening Horse Defense.

Puzzle of the day

Puzzle of the day 

The xiangqi puzzle below is from Jim Png's new eBook - Becoming a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Assassin Volume 1. With Jim's permission, I would like to share with you some of the interesting puzzle. Please try your best to solve the puzzle. You can compare your solution with the answer placed at the bottom of the page.

If you would like to learn more about this eBook or challenge yourself for more xiangqi puzzles, just visit www.xqinenglish.com.

Enjoy and have fun!

Answer:

The explanation below are taken from eBook: Becoming a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Assassin Volume 1, written by Jim Png.

This endgame composition originated from "Extremely Brilliant Xiangqi Manual".

It would be a checkmate if Black went first with R1+3.

  1. C3=9  ……

Red counters a kill (Black's R1+3) with this move, and threatens to kill with C1+2 on the next move. R8=4 as the first move would be a mistake.

  1a. R8=4  A5+6  2a. R4+3  K6=5  3a. R4=5  K5=6  4a. E5-7  P6+1

  5a. K5+1  R1+2  6a. K5+1  H8-7  7a. K5=6  R1-3.  And Black would be on the winning end!

  1. ……  R1=3  2. C9+2  ……

Red delivers a check with this move, forcing the Black chariot back to resolve it. Once the Black chariot is out of the picture, Red would be able to concentrate on utilizing his own chariot and pawn.

  2. ……  R3-6  3. R8=2  K6=5  4. E5+7  ……

The main motive for this move would be allow the Red king to command control of the central file.

P3=4 would also be feasible, but the kill would take one move longer.

  4b. P3=4  P6+1  5b. K5+1  A5-6  6b. R2=5  A6+5  7b. R5+4.  Checkmate.

  4. ……  P6+1  5. K5+1  R3=1  6. R2+5.  Checkmate.

Xiangqi Opening Trap: Black did not capture the sacrificed horse

Black did not capture the sacrificed horse
From the previous game, we had learnt the trap applied by Red.

In this game, Black did not capture the sacrificed horse. However, Red had demonstrated several attack tactics to win the game.

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7
  3. R1+1  R9=8    4. R1=6  R8+6
  5. R6+7  H2+1    6. R9+1  …………

Red have applied the same tactic to tempt Black play C2+7.

  6. …………  A6+5

Black learnt from previous game, C2+7 would led to dismal result. Therefore, in this variation, Black did not play C2+7. Instead, replied with A6+5 to strengthen the central defense.

  7. R9=4  …………

Red still remain his left's horse in sacrificed position. R9=4 was a smart move to allow Red gained control of forth file.

  7. …………  C2=4

Black has learnt from his mistakes. Black had have no intention to capture the sacrificed horse. Therefore, Black C2=4 to give way for R1=2, to develop his right's chariot in next move. Diagram 1.

Diagram 1

  8. R4+7  …………

Both Red's chariot were lined up in Black second bottom line. Red was in preparation to launch the massive attack from here.

  8. …………  R1=2    9. C8+6  …………

Smart move. Red has advanced the left's cannon to restrict Black's chariot movement.In additional to this, Red also decoy black to play P3+1.

  9. …………  P3+1

As Red wish, Black stepped into the trap designed by Red. Black P3+1 was in preparation H1+3 to capture Black's chariot and cannon simultaneously. It seems a good plan.However, P3+1 will be valid in most cases except here.Red already anticipated, and well prepared for it. Diagram 2.

Diagram 2

 10. C8=5  …………

Excellent move. Red C8=5 to destroy Black's defense.

 10. …………  A4+5

A4+5 was a must-move for Black.If Black responded with H1+3.


 10. …………  H1+3

Weak move.

 11. C5-2  A4+5
 12. R6-1

Red would gain a free cannon.
It also proved that Black P3+1 at 9th move was useless.


 11. C5=6  …………

Another excellent move. Red setup another trap.
Black has three options at this situation.There are explained as below.

a) Variation Black R2+9
In the surface, Black would gain free horse if played R2+9.


 11. …………  R2+9
 12. R4=5  …………

A surprised move for Black.

 12. …………  H7-5
 13. R6+1

Red checkmate and wins.


b) Variation Black C4+7
Black C4+7 so that Red could not utilized Black's cannon as cannon mount.

 12. K5=6  …………

However, this also allow Red's king to aid in attack.

 12. …………  R2+9   13. C6=5  …………

Excellent move!! Red C6=5 would allow the king to aid in attack, and at the same time, planned to attack Black's central pawn.

 13. …………  C5=4

Black C5=4 was to prevent Red' attack with king's help.


 14. C5+4  …………

!! Excellent move.Black's left horse carried great responsibility, i.e. protecting the single advisor or central pawn. This allowed Red to sacrifice his cannon to exchange with Black's central pawn.


 14. …………  H7+5   15. R4=5  K5=6
 16. R6+1

Red checkmate and wins.

c) Black C4=3 variation

 12. H8+7  R8=7   13. H3-5  …………

Smart move. Red would deployed right horse to support the front line.

 13. …………  C5+4   14. H5+6  …………

!! Red threaten to end the game with R4=5, followed by R6+1.

 14. …………  C3=4

C3=4 was a must-move for Black to secure the king.

 15. C6+5  C5-1   16. H6-4  …………

A wise move. Red did not forgot to defense the backyard before launched the total offensive.

 16. …………  R7=5   17. H7-5  …………

Another wise move to defend from Black's attack. Black could not followed by discovered check C5=6.

 17. …………  A5+4   18. H4+5  …………

A wise move. Red have exchanged the horse with most powerful Black's central cannon. After the exchanged, Red could focused on the offensive, and prevented any trouble happened at the backyard..

 18. …………  R5-1   19. R4=3  E7+5
 20. R3-1  H1+3   21. R6=4

Black could not stop Red C3+2. Red wins.

Xiangqi Opening Trap: Black captured Red's sacrificed horse in a later stage.

Xiangqi Opening Trap: Black captured Red's sacrificed horse in a later stage.

In this game, Black learnt from Horse Sacrifice with thirteen Moves Kill  and did not capture the sacrificed horse in 6th move. However, Red setup another trap to win the game.

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7

  3. R1+1  R9=8    4. R1=6  R8+6

  5. R6+7  H2+1    6. R9+1  …………

Red applied the same tactic to tempt Black play C2+7.Diagram 1.

Diagram 1

  6. …………  R8=7

Black was not tempted. Black had learnt from previous game and did not reply with C2+7. Black knew that he need the cannon in current position to protect horse and defend the center line.Therefore, Black played according to his plan, attack Red's right horse.

  7. R9=4  …………

Red just remained his left's horse in sacrificed position. R9=4 was a smart move where Red would gain control of forth file.

  7. …………  A6+5

Black learnt from previous game, C2+7 would led to dismal result. Therefore,Black did not play C2+7. Instead, replied with A6+5 to strengthen the central defense.

  8. C5=6  …………

C5=6 was another trap well prepared by Red! Diagram 2.

In the previous example, we had learnt that Red would launched massive attack on center line after Black captured the sacrificed horse.Red's central cannon was played important role for this center line attack strategy. However, Red C5=6 moved away from center line. With C5=6, Red could not launched the attack from center anymore. It seems no risk for Black to gain the free horse with C2+7.

Diagram 2

  8. …………  C2+7

Unconsciously, Black fallen into trap. Black cannon C2+7 left his original position and could not protect left's horse anymore.This was the objective of Red.

  9. C6+7  …………

An excellent move. Red executed his plan accordingly, started with C6+7 to destroy Black defense.

  9. …………  A5-4   10. R6=3  …………

Diagram 3. As seen on board, Black's left horse was unprotected after Black C2+7.This was the result after Black fallen into the trap.This allowed Red to form massive attack on Black's left flank.

Diagram 3

 10. …………  A4+5

Black A4+5 was a must-move.

 11. R3-1  …………

Correct move.Red should not played C3+1.

 11. R3+1  H7-6

Red's attack would be slowed down.Red would be in disadvantage position.

With C3-1, Red would have gained back the material that his lost just now. In additional, Red's double chariots could formed a strong alliance to attack Black's left flank. Red would be in advantage position.

 11. …………  K5=4   12. R4+7  …………

Red planned to capture Black's advisor in next move with R4=5.

 12. …………  R1+1   13. R3+2  K4+1

 14. R4=5  …………

!! Excellent move. Diagram 4. Red sacrificed his chariot to trade with Black's advisor. Black's king was led onto the platform of the guillotine after the exchanged.

Diagram 4

 14. …………  K4=5   15. R3-1  K5-1

 16. C8+7

Red checkmate and wins.Diagram 5.

Diagram 5

The character of “自”- Since - Game #5

Game #5

In Game #5, Red would demonstrate several middle game tactics and skills in basic kills in order to win the game.

The character of “自”- Since - Game #4

The character of “自”- Since

Game #4

In Game #4, we will learn how to maneuver the pieces to gain advantageous positions.

  1. C8=5  C2=5

  2. H8+7  H2+3

  3. R9+1  R1=2

  4. R9=4  A6+5

  5. R4+7  H8+9

  6. P3+1  R2+6

  7. H2+3  R2=3

  8. H3+4  P3+1

The first eight moves were the same as in the previous examples. Diagram 1.4a. Please refer to Game #1 for detailed explanations.

Diagram 1.4a

  9. H4+3  C8=7

In this game, Black improvised and for his ninth ply, Black chose to play C8=6, which was a bad move. In Game #4, Black make corrections and played C8=7 which was still insufficient as could be seen by Black's dismal outcome. C8=7 would still be a good move in this situation but more could have been done. Diagram 1.4b.

We can see by going through the game how the ancient Chinese players improvised and learnt from their mistakes, making corrections and perfecting their play. It is very important to learn from your mistakes.

Diagram 1.4b

 10. H3+5  …………

Red would still use the same strategy as in Game #3, trading the Black central cannon with the Red horse. However, the situation was different as at Game #3. In Game #3, Black cannon was at palcorner (Black’s sixth file), so the strategy was valid. Unfortunately, in Game #4, Black cannon was at file number seven. Red C2+5 would not be an ideal move.

 10. …….  E3+5

 11. C2+5  C7+7

Red had attempted C2+5 as in Game #3. However, Black’s C7+7 actually provided a chance for Red to attack. Diagram 1.4c. A better move for Black would be to play R3+1. If Red answered with C2=5, Black would defend with A5-6 and Red would not be able to continue his attack.

Diagram 1.4c

 12. R1=3  R3+1

 13. C2=7  R3=2

 14. C5+4  R2-7

This is to prevent Red's C7+2 checkmate. Diagram 1.4d

Diagram 1.4d

 15. P3+1  R9=8

 16. A4+5  R8+3

 17. P3=2  …………

Red's P3=2 to maneuver the pawn to attack was timely and brilliant. Diagram 1.4e. This would allow Red's chariot to team up with the other chariot for an attack. This tactic is often used during the middle game.

Diagram 1.4e

 17. …………  R8=5

Black would have lived slightly longer with R8-3. However, it would just be a matter of time before Red won.

 18. R3+9  A5-6

 19. R3=4

Double Chariots Checkmate. Red wins. Diagram 1.4f.

Diagram 1.4f

If you would like to buy the full version of "The XiangQi Master From The Cave", please visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HQIVENU