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

Sunday, July 3, 2016

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.