Xiangqi Opening: GM Hu RongHua's Elephant Opening #5

Xiangqi Opening: 

GM Hu RongHua's Elephant Opening #5

Game #9 Hu RongHua 胡荣华  wins  Wang JiaLiang 王嘉良 @ 13-Nov-1965 

1965 China National Xiangqi Tournament 

Elephant Opening vs Left Central Cannon

Game #10 Hu RongHua 胡荣华  wins  Zang RuYi 臧如意 @ 18-Nov-1965 

1965 China National Xiangqi Tournament 

Elephant Opening vs Right Crossed-Palace Cannon

#38 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+5

#38 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+5 

Outcome: Advantage go to Red

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7    3. R1=2  R9+1    4. P3+1  R9=4
  5. H8+7  R4+5

We had discussed Black R4+3 and R4+4, advantages all go to Red.

In this post, we will start to discuss Black R4+5.

As mentioned earlier, the most efficient move Black would be H2+3 for proper horse.

Now Black plays, R4+5, what is the move for Red?

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #8

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #8

Palcorner Cannon Opening

Palcorner Cannon Opening transformed to Sandwiched Horses Defense vs Opposite Direction Cannon" played by Xiangqi Grand Master #8

Click here for all Palcorner Cannon Opening articles.

Game #22 Lin HongMin draws to GM Liu DianZhong @ 17th Nov 2011

Game #23 Hu RongHua draws to GM Lu Qin @ 9th Nov 2011

Game #24 GM Li LaiQun wins GM Lu Qin @ Feb 1979

Game #25 GM Lu Qin loses to GM Zhao XinXin @ 29th Sept 2011

Xiangqi Opening: GM Hu RongHua's Elephant Opening #4

Xiangqi Opening: 

GM Hu RongHua's Elephant Opening #4

Game #7 Game #7 Hu RongHua 胡荣华  wins  Dai RongGuang 戴荣光 @ 25-Aug-1965 

Other Xiangqi Tournament 

Elephant Opening vs 3rd Pawn Advancement

Game #8 Game #8 Hu RongHua 胡荣华  wins  Chen YongFa 陈永发 @ 30-Sep-1965 

Xianqgi Friendly Match 

Elephant Opening vs Right Central Cannon

#37 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+4, then R4=7

#37 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+4, then R4=7

Outcome: Advantage go to Red

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7    3. R1=2  R9+1    4. P3+1  R9=4
  5. H8+7  R4+4

As mentioned, the most effective move for Black is H2+3.
Now Black R4+4 is not a good move.

  6. C5=4  R4=7

We had discussed Black P5+1 in previous post, advantage went to Red.

In this example, Black plays R4=7.
So, what is the best move for Red to respond?

Xiangqi Opening: GM Hu RongHua's Elephant Openings #3

Xiangqi Opening: 

GM Hu RongHua's Elephant Openings #3

Game #5 Game #5 Hu RongHua 胡荣华  wins  Yan GuanLin 杨官璘 @ 30-Dec-1964 

1964 China National Xiangqi Tournament 

Elephant Opening vs 3rd Pawn Advancement

Game #6 Game #6 Hu RongHua 胡荣华  wins  Dai RongGuang 戴荣光 @ 10-Apr-1965 

Other Tournament 

Elephant Opening vs Others

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #7

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #7

Palcorner Cannon Opening

Palcorner Cannon Opening transformed to Sandwiched Horses Defense vs Opposite Direction Cannon" played by Xiangqi Grand Master #7

Click here for all Palcorner Cannon Opening articles.

Game #19 ZhuYongJi loses to GM Jiang Chuan @ 25th Oct 2012

Game #20 Huang Hai Lin loses to GM Wan ChunLin @ 23 March 2012

Game #21 GM Hu RongHua draws to Li XueSong @ 17th Nov 2011

2017 Treasurer God Cup Xiangqi Tournament - Wang TianYi wins Zhao Jincheng @ 6 Jan 2017

Wang TianYi wins  Zhao Jincheng @ 6-Jan-2017

2017 Treasurer God Cup Xiangqi Tournament  

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #6

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #6

Palcorner Cannon Opening

Palcorner Cannon Opening transformed to Sandwiched Horses Defense vs Opposite Direction Cannon" played by Xiangqi Grand Master #6

Click here for all Palcorner Cannon Opening articles.

Game #16 Sun Bo loses to GM Xie Jing @ 8th May 2013
Game #17 GM Tao HanMing Loses to Cheng Ming @ 15th Aug 2013
Game #18 GM Lu Qin wins Gollmar Bastian @ 30th May 2013

Puzzle: Actual internet game

Puzzle: Actual internet game

This is an actual game played on internet by author.
Black moved H6+4, threaten to checkmate by H4+2. However, Red had a trick to win the game....

Red to move and win.

Actually, Black would win the game if not played H6+4, so....what is the correct move for Black?

Leave your answer in the comment.

Have fun.

#36 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+4 then P5+1

#36 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+4 then P5+1

Outcome: Advantage go to Red

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7    3. R1=2  R9+1    4. P3+1  R9=4
  5. H8+7  R4+4

As mentioned, Black H2+3 would be the correct move.

In previous posts, we had discussed Black played R4+3, advantages all went to Red.

We will discuss Black R4+4 in this post.

Obviously, Black R4+4 is threaten to capture Red's 3rd pawn.

Therefore, what is the best move for Red to respond?

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #5

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #5

Palcorner Cannon Opening

Palcorner Cannon Opening transformed to Sandwiched Horses Defense vs Opposite Direction Cannon" played by Xiangqi Grand Master #5

Click here for all Palcorner Cannon Opening articles.


Game #13 Zeng Jun draws to GM Zheng WeiTong @ 24th Sept 2013
Game #14 GM Wang YueFei draws to GM Sun YongZheng @ 14th Sept 2013
Game #15 GM Tao HanMing draws to GM Jiang Chuan @ 25th Aug 2013

#35 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+3, then H2+3

#35 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+3, then H2+3

Outcome: Advantage go to Red

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7    3. R1=2  R9+1    4. P3+1  R9=4
  5. H8+7  R4+3

As mentioned earlier, Black should play H2+3 for proper horse.
However Black plays R4+3.

  6. R2+6  …………

Red R2+6 is the most effective to respond to Black's earlier mistake.

In this variation, Black has
1) P7+1
2) H2+1
3) H2+3

We had discussed Black played P7+1, advantage was went to Red.

In this post, we discuss Black H2+3.

  6. …………  H2+3

Black forms proper horse to consolidate center file.

Is it feasible? What is the best move for Red to respond?

Xiangqi Openings: GM Hu RongHua's Elephant Openings #2

Xiangqi Openings: 

GM Hu RongHua's Elephant Openings #2

Game #3 Hu RongHua 胡荣华  wins  Chen BoXiang 陈伯祥 @ 29-Dec-1963 

Other Xiangqi Tournament 

Elephant Opening vs 3rd Pawn Advancement

Game #4 Game #4 Hu RongHua 胡荣华  draws Ma Kuan 马宽 @ 18-May-1964 

1964 China National Xiangqi Tournament 

Opposite Direction Elephant Opening

#34 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+3, then H2+1

#34 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+3, then H2+1

Outcome: Advantage go to Red

  1. C2=5  C8=5    2. H2+3  H8+7    3. R1=2  R9+1    4. P3+1  R9=4
  5. H8+7  R4+3

As mentioned earlier, Black should play H2+3 for proper horse.
However Black plays R4+3.

  6. R2+6  …………

Red R3+6 is the most effective to counter Black's mistake.

In this variation, Black has
1) P7+1
2) H2+3
3) H2+1

We had discussed Black played P7+1, advantage was went to Red.

In this post, we discuss Black H2+1.

  6. …………  H2+1

Black plays H2+1 so that the cannon on File 2 can protect horse placed on File 7.

What is the best move for Red to respond?

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #4

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #4

Palcorner Cannon Opening

Palcorner Cannon Opening transformed to Sandwiched Horses Defense vs Opposite Direction Cannon" played by Xiangqi Grand Master #4

Click here for all Palcorner Cannon Opening articles.

Game #10 GM Xie Jing wins Lu ZiJian @ 10th May 2014
Game #11 GM Tao HanMing loses to GM Xie Jing @ 25th Sept 2013
Geme #12 GM Tao HanMing draws to GM Jiang Chuan @ 24th Sept 2013

Xiangqi GIF image for annotated game with comments

Xiangqi GIF image.

I tried another method to make the Xiangqi GIF.  Much better view, however too much efforts.

Let me know your feedback!

Xiangqi Opening: GM Hu RongHua's Elephant Openings #1

Xiangqi Opening: 

GM Hu RongHua's Elephant Openings #1

Game #1 Hu RongHua 胡荣华  wins  Cai FuRu 蔡福如 @ 25-Dec-1960

Other Xiangqi Tournament 

Elephant Opening vs Right Central Cannon

Game #2 Hu RongHua 胡荣华  wins  Zhang YuanQi 张元启 @ 12-Nov-1962 

Other Xiangqi Tournament 

Elephant Opening vs Right Central Cannon

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #3

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #3

Click here for all Palcorner Cannon Opening articles.

GM Wang TianYi also uses Palcorner Cannon Opening before.

Game #7 GM Wang YueFei draws to GM Wan ChunLin @ 26 Sept 2015

Game #8 GM Wang TianYi wins Dr. Naegler @ 8th Nov 2014

Game #9 Zhao JinCheng loses to GM Zheng Weitong @ 21 May 2014

Palcorner Cannon Opening transformed to Sandwiched Horses Defense vs Opposite Direction Cannon" played by Xiangqi Grand Master or how a GM responded to Palcorner Cannon Opening variation. 

Video for 2017 30th European Xiangqi Tournament at Munich, Germany

Video for 2017 30th European Xiangqi Tournament at Munich, Germany

Youtube: https://youtu.be/9yM02C8rfb8

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #2

Palcorner Cannon Opening played by Xiangqi Grand Master #2

Click here for all Palcorner Cannon Opening articles.

GM Lu Qin and GM Tao HanMing are often use Palcorner Opening comparing to other GM; the winning rate are high too.

Game #4 GM Lu Qin wins GM Zhao GuoRong @ 23 Jan 2016

Game #5 GM Tao HanMing loses to GM Wang TianYi @ 5th Dec 2015

Game #6 GM Hong Zhi wins Chen Dong @ 24 Nov 2015

Palcorner Cannon Opening transformed to Sandwiched Horses Defense vs Opposite Direction Cannon" played by Xiangqi Grand Master or how a GM responded to Palcorner Cannon Opening variation. 

GM Xue Zhong - Road to 30th European Xiangqi Tournament Final

GM Xue Zhong - Road to 30th European Xiangqi Tournament Final

GM Xue Zhong

16 to 8 Qualification Round

Xue Zhong (Germany) wins Sergei Korchitskij (Belarus)

Sergei Korchitskij loses to Huang ChunLong @ 28th Jan 2017

Sergei Korchitskij loses to Huang ChunLong

2017 30th European Xiangqi Tournament
2017-01-28

Palcorner Cannon vs Right Central Cannon

Sergei Korchitskij Loses to Huang ChunLong
2017 30th European Xiangqi Tournament
28th Jan 2017

This match was played in 2017, 30th European Xiangqi Tournament at Munich within Sergei Korchitskij (Belarus) and Huang ChunLong (UK).

Huang ChunLong is a Grandmaster whereas Sergei is a new comer in European Xiangqi competition.

  1. C2=4  …………

Sergei started with C2=4, is known as Palcorner Cannon Opening. As  my understanding, Sergei has used the same opening Palcorner Cannon Openings for all his games in this tournament.

Based on Xiangqi statistic, Palcorner Cannon is not a popular opening. From my records, the winning rate for Palcorner Cannon opening is around 34%.

  1. …………  C2=5

GM Huang ChunLong responded with C2=5, is known as Right Central Cannon. C2=5 is known as most effective move for Black to against Red's Palcorner Cannon Opening.

Based on statistic, the winning rate for Red has further dropped to 29% if Black responded with C2=5.

Beside C2=5, P7+1 could be another main choice for Black. However, the winner rate for Red would increased to 40%. Low winning rate of Black caused P7+1 less popular than C2=5.

  2. H8+7  H2+3    3. H2+3  …………

#33 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+4 then P7+1

#33 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Black R4+4 then P7+1

Outcome: Advantage to Red

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

Red  may play H8+7, will lead to same variation.


  4. …………  R9=4

This is correct move for Black.

  5. H8+7  …………

As mentioned before, the most effective move for Black is H2+3.

What happen if Black played other variation?

Starting this post, we will discuss Black's variation other than H2+3.

I have seen many players holding Black like to move his chariot in this situation
There are
1) R4+3
2) R4+5
3) R4+7

All will lead the advantage to Red.

  5. …………  R4+3

In this example, we discuss Black R4+4, to exchange his 7th pawn.

Therefore, what is the best choice for Red?

#32 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red H8+7, Black P7+1

#32 Same Direction Cannon Double Headed Snake Pawn Formation vs Double Ranked Chariot - Red H8+7, Black P7+1

Outcome: Advantage to Red

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

In the previous, we had demontrated that if Black played P3+1, advantages all go to Red.
In this variation, Black plays P7+1.

Therefore what is the most effective move for Red to gain initiative?