57 Cannon Opening Series #3: The return of Central Cannon Attack

57 Cannon Opening Series #3: 

The return of Central Cannon Attack

As described in previous post, Xiangqi Ancient Manual "Plum Blossom Manual" mentions that Screen Horses Defenses is better than Central Cannon variations.

However, this concept was changed by another ancient manual " Reverse Plum Blossom Manual"!

Reserve Plum Blossom Manual think that Central Cannon still a better opening than Screen Horses Defenses.

  1. C2=5  H8+7    2. H2+3  P3+1

P3+1 is common during old day.

  3. R1=2  R9=8    4. R2+4  …………

Red R2+4 is an improvement!

Please note that R2+4 is valid if Black plays P3+1. If Black plays P7+1, then Red R2+4 is not so effective to counter-attack.

  4. …………  H2+3    5. P7+1  …………

The purpose of Red R2+4 at previous move to exchange the pawn,and move his chariot to line 7 to control Black's horse.

  5. …………  P3+1    6. R2=7  …………

As planned.

  6. …………  P7+1

A better move would be C2-1.

  7. P5+1  …………

Good strategic!

  7. …………  C2-1    8. P5+1  C2=3    9. P5+1  …………

There would be 2 main variations for Black:

1) A4+5

2) A6+5

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Variation #1: A4+5

  9. …………  A4+5

 10. P5=6  E3+5   11. R7+3  R1=3   12. H8+7  H7+6   13. R9=8  …………

Excellence move!

 13. …………  C8=3   14. C8+7  R3=2   15. R8+9  C3-1   16. R8=7

Red wins.

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Variation #2: A6+5

   9. …………  A6+5 10. P5=4  K5=6

If Black playes E3+5, Red could R3+3 captured the horse.

 11. C5=4  K6=5   12. C8=5  A5-6   13. C4-1  K5+1   14. P4=5  K5=6

 15. R7=4  H7+6   16. R4+1  C8=6   17. R4+2  K6+1   18. C5=4

Red wins.