#15 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red A4+5 or A6+5 variation.

#15 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red A4+5 or A6+5 variation.

Outcome: Advantage to Black

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7    3. R1=2  R9+1    4. A4+5  …………

Red A4+5 was common in old days.
For this variation, what is the best move for Black?

#14 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red C8=6 then C6+5 variation.

#14 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red C8=6 then C6+5 variation.

Outcome: Advantage to Black

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

As mentioned in earlier post, Red C8=6 is not efficient.

  4. …………  H2+3    5. H8+7  R1=2    6. R9=8  C2+4    7. C6+5  …………

In this variation, Red plays C6+5 to attack Black's left horse.

What is the best move for Black to respond?

Xiangqi Puzzle: Creative way to checkmate

Xiangqi Puzzle: Creative way to checkmate

Recently I came across this puzzle from Facebook Xiangqi Page.

A brilliant and excellent idea to solve this puzzle.

Red moves first and wins. Answer is at the bottom of the page.

Red moves first and wins

#13 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red C8=6 variation.

#13 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red C8=6 variation.

Outcome: Advantage to Black

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7
  3. R1=2  R9+1

Both reaches Same Direction Cannon Filed Chariot vs Ranked Chariot variation.

  4. C8=6  …………

As mentioned earlier, the most effective move for Red would be P3+1.
However, in this variation, Red plays C8=6.This is also a common mistake for Xiangqi Beginners.

Let see how to gain the advantages for this mistake.

#12 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red R2+4, Black R9=4 variation.

#12 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red R2+4, Black R9=4 variation.

Outcome: Advantage to Black

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7
  3. R1=2  R9+1    4. R2+4  …………

I have seen many Xiangqi beginners like to play R2+4 in this situation, however this is not the smart move for Red.As discussed, the most effective move for Red would be P3+1.
In this point, how can Black gain the advantage?

#11 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red R2+6, Black R9=4 variation.

#11 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red R2+6, Black R9=4 variation.

Outcome: Advantage to Red

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7
  3. R1=2  R9+1    4. R2+6  …………

As mentioned in previous post #10, Red R2+6 is not efficient. The correct move for Red would be P3+1.

  4. …………  R9=4

We had concluded that Black P3+1 would lead the advantage to Black if Red played R2+6 in previous move.

However, Black plays R9=4 instead of P3+1.

In this case, how could Red gain the advantages?

#10 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red R2+6 variation.

#10 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red R2+6 variation.

Outcome: Advantage to Black

  1. C2=5  C8=5

Same Direction Cannon Opening confirmed.

  2. H2+3  …………

Red developed his right horse.

Another valid move for Red would be R1+1 for Ranked Chariot formation.

However, Same Direction Cannon Ranked Chariot is out of the scope in this chapter.

  2. …………  H8+7

Now is Black's turn to develop his left horse.

Black also could play R9+1, it would lead to the same variation.
.

  3. R1=2  R9+1    4. R2+6  …………

As mentioned in previous post, the most effective moves for "Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot" are as below:

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7
  3. R1=2  R9+1    4. P3+1  R9=4
  5. H8+7  H2+3    6. P7+1  R1+1

As seen on board, Red plays R2+6 instead of P3+1 in ply #4. R2+6 is not a effective move for Red. Black must know how to utilize Red's mistake and turn it into his own advantages.

  4. …………  P3+1

Black P3+1 would be the most effective move to against Red. 

Actual End Game played!

Actual Xiangqi End Game played!

This is the actual end game within the author and a xiangqi friend at Seremban...a small town in Malaysia.
At the end, Red won the game due to Black's mistake. However, it is interesting to analyze whether there is a better move for Red to win the game.
After analysis in deep, there is a simple way to checkmate.

Let try it and left your comment/feedback in the comment column.

Red moves and wins. Have fun!

Answer is at the bottom of the page.

Red moves first and wins

2016马來西亚全国象棋团体赛棋谱直播

2016马來西亚全国象棋团体赛棋谱直播

http://www.dpxq.com/hldcg/search/?s=list%2Easp%3Fowner%3Dkedahlive%26page%3D1

第1轮： 22/12/2016， 730pm

第1轮第1台第1桌

http://www.dpxq.com/hldcg/search/view_u_1177003.html

第1轮第1台第2桌

http://www.dpxq.com/hldcg/search/view_u_1177004.html

第1轮第1台第3桌

http://www.dpxq.com/hldcg/search/view_u_1177005.html

第1轮第1台第4桌

http://www.dpxq.com/hldcg/search/view_u_1177007.html

#9 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R9=8 variation

#9 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R9=8 variation

Outcome: Advantage to Red!





  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  …………

Red developed his right 's horse.

  2. …………  H8+7

Black also developed his left's horse.

  3. R1=2  …………

Red plays R1=2 for Filed Chariot, which is more popular than R1+1.

Based on games statistic, Red R1=2 has a higher winning rate if compared with R1+1.This might be the reason why R1=2 is more popular than R1+1.

Red also could play R1+1 for Ranked Chariot, however this is out of our discussion in this chapter.

  3. …………  R9=8

Since Red R1=2 has a higher winning rate, could Black trade his left chariot with Red's filed chariot? This is a common question has been asked by several Xiangqi beginners.

#8 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red C5+4 variation

#8 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red C5+4 variation

Outcome: Advantage to Black!

  1. C2=5  C8=5

Black player is the one who initiated Same Direction Cannon variation.
Therefore it is very important for Black to understand the variation in detail before select C8=5 for Same Direction Cannon.

Black player should know how to counter attack if Red made a mistake.

  2. C5+4  …………

The first question should ask about Same Direction Cannon is can Red play C5+4 in this move?

By playing C5+4, Red had gained the middle pawn immediately. However, is it a smart move?

#7 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot

#7 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot

One of the famous Same Cannon Direction Cannon variation at modern day is "Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot" variation.

The move list as below.

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7
  3. R1=2  R9+1    4. P3+1  R9=4
  5. H8+7  H2+3    6. P7+1  R1+1

  1. 炮二平五  炮８平５    2. 马二进三  马８进７
  3. 车一平二  车９进１    4. 兵三进一  车９平４
  5. 马八进七  马２进３    6. 兵七进一  车１进１

There are total 6 moves to form this variation.These are the most efficient moves by both players.
If any of the player did not follow the move-list, the other party would gain the initiative immediately!

#6 Same Direction Cannon Opening - Modern Day

#6 Same Direction Cannon Opening - Modern Day

#6 Same Direction Cannon Opening - Modern Day

After few hundred years of development, there are three main variations for Same Direction Cannon Openings at modern day.

There are:

#5 Same Direction Cannon Opening - Lesson Learnt from ancient manual

#5 Same Direction Cannon Opening - Lesson Learnt from ancient Xiangqi manual

Referring to previous posts from various Xiangqi Ancient Manuals #1, #2, #3 and #4

What have you learnt about Same Direction Cannon Opening?

Please leave your comment here!!

#4 Same Direction Cannon from Book of Plum Blossom

#4 Same Direction Cannon from Book of Plum Blossom

In the old days, people believe that Central Cannon was the most powerful opening. Whereby, Same Direction Cannon or Difference Direction Cannon was the most effective opening for Black to respond Red's Central cannon Opening.

During that time, Screen Horse Defense was not well develop yet.
Until year 1700, Xiangqi ancient manual "Book of Plum Blossom" had written and published by Wang Zaiyue. In this book, Wang emphasized that Screen Horse Defense Opening could contend against Central Cannon Opening.After that, Screen Horse Defense Opening was well develop.

The Xiangqi ancient manual "Book of Plum Blossom" also consists Same Direction Cannon variation full game.

One of the full game as shown below.

#3 Same Direction Cannon Game from Golden Roc Eighteen Variation manual.

#3 Same Direction Cannon Game from Golden Roc Eighteen Variation manual.

Same Direction Cannon Opening full game also documented on an ancient manual called "Golden Roc Eighteen Variation".This ancient manual was published in Ming Dynasty before year 1540.

Golden Roc Eighteen Variation manual had described in detail for Same Direction Cannon and Difference Direction Cannon Opening.
Even another ancient manual "The Secret In The Tangerine" also documented some of its full games from "Golden Roc Eighteen Variation" manual.

Let review together, one of the game from this famous Xiangqi ancient manual Golden Roc Eighteen Variation.

#2 Same Direction Cannon Opening - Horse Sacrifice With Thirteen Moves Kill

#2 Same Direction Cannon Opening  - Horse Sacrifice With Thirteen Moves Kill

If we talked about Same Direction Cannon Opening, there was a opening trap that every Xiangqi player must knows.

Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) has long history. It has been developed at China more than few hundreds years. Several ancient manuals had been published during this year. One of the masterpiece of Xiangqi ancient manual is "The Secret In The Tangerine". According to historical data, it was written in AD1632 during the Ming Dynasty by Zhu JinZhen. There were lot of xiangqi opening traps had been recorded in this manual.As we learnt from this ancient manual,  Xiangqi's opening trap already well developed since many year ago.The term Xiangqi Opening Traps refers to a move which may tempt the opponent to play a losing move in the game's opening.

In order to learn Xiangqi's opening trap well, it is always good to learn from its origin and evolution. The following game from the "The Secret In The Tangerine" manual, is the most famous Xiangqi's opening trap all time.The game is called Horse Sacrifice With Thirteen Moves Kill. This is a must-learn xiangqi opening trap.

#1 The beginning of Same Direction Cannon Opening

#1 The beginning of Same Direction Cannon Opening

The first Xiangqi game record was documented on an ancient manual called ShiLinGuangJi. This manual was written by Chen Wenjing, thousand year ago during Song Dynasty. There were two full xiangqi games and one xiangqi end game had been documented in this annual manual. One of the full game was Same Direction Cannon Opening.

南帝东邪十番棋决赛:第二局：东邪负南帝, South King vs East Evil 10-game match: Game#2: East Evil Loses to South King

第二局：东邪负南帝
南帝东邪十番棋决赛
South King vs East Evil
10-game match

Game#2: East  Evil Loses to South King

华山绝顶
30分钟+30秒
13-12-2016

南帝东邪十番棋决赛: 第一局：南帝胜东邪; 10-game match: South King vs East Evil Game #1

第一局：南帝胜东邪

南帝东邪十番棋决赛

South King vs East Evil
10-game match

Game#1: South King wins East Evil

13-Dec-2016

华山绝顶
30分钟+30秒

江苏 徐天红 负 杭州 王天一

江苏 徐天红 负 杭州 王天一
2016年第05届碧桂园杯全国象棋冠军邀请赛

第06轮 2016-12-09

60分＋30秒

简评:黄金龙

Wong Ping Loong @ http://xiangqielephantgame.blogspot.my

黑龙江 陶汉明 负 广东 许银川

黑龙江 陶汉明 负 广东 许银川
2016年第05届碧桂园杯全国象棋冠军邀请赛

第03轮 2016-12-08

60分＋30秒

简评:黄金龙

Wong Ping Loong @ http://xiangqielephantgame.blogspot.my

在之后的王天一vs许銀川对局中，也是下到相同局面，大家可以参考一下。
http://xiangqielephantgame.blogspot.my/2016/12/blog-post_10.html

杭州 王天一 胜 广东 许银川

杭州 王天一 胜 广东 许银川
2016年第05届碧桂园杯全国象棋冠军邀请赛

第05轮 2016-11-09

60分＋30秒

简评:黄金龙

Wong Ping Loong @ http://xiangqielephantgame.blogspot.my

黑龙江 赵国荣 负 杭州 王天一

黑龙江 赵国荣 负 杭州 王天一
2016年第05届碧桂园杯全国象棋冠军邀请赛

第03轮 2016-11-08

60分＋30秒



简评:黄金龙

Wong Ping Loong @ http://xiangqielephantgame.blogspot.my

王天一（中国） 先胜 吴俚葙（东马）

王天一（中国） 先胜 吴俚葙（东马）
2016年第19届亚洲象棋锦标赛（团体组）

60分＋30秒

简评:黄金龙

Wong Ping Loong @ http://xiangqielephantgame.blogspot.my

王天一（中国）先胜 陈有发（马来西亚）

王天一（中国）先胜 陈有发（马来西亚）
2016年第19届亚洲象棋锦标赛（团体组）

60分＋30秒

简评:黄金龙

Wong Ping Loong @ http://xiangqielephantgame.blogspot.my

中国 王天一 胜 越南 武明一

中国 王天一 胜 越南 武明一

2016年第19届亚洲象棋锦标赛（团体组）

2016-30-11
第04轮
60分＋30秒

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

Black captured Red's sacrificed horse in later stage.

Click below link for similar games
http://xiangqielephantgame.blogspot.my/2016/06/horse-sacrifice-with-thirteen-moves_27.html

Black learnt from previous game 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  …………