57 Cannon Opening Series #7: What happen if Red does not play P3+1 in the early stage?

57 Cannon Opening Series #7:

What happen if Red does not play P3+1 in the early stage?

In the previous post, we had discussed the beginning of 57 Cannon Opening. However, 57 opening with crossed river chariot,need support from other pieces for the attack. In this case, the right horse. in order to develop the right horse, Red P3+1 is needed. 

In this post, we will discuss what would happen if Red did not play P3+1 in the early stage?

  1. C2=5  H8+7    2. H2+3  P3+1    3. R1=2  R9=8    4. R2+6  H2+3    5. C8=7  H3+2

  6. H8+9  …………

Now we reach the early stage of 57 Cannon Opening.

Basically there are 3 main variations for Black:

1) E3+5

2) E7+5

3) P1+1

New Xiangqi Book: The basic of Same Direction Cannon Openings - Actual Matches play by Grand Masters

New Xiangqi Book: 

The basic of Same Direction Cannon Openings - work in progress...............

I am almost finish my first draft of the book. Currently, I am writing the chapters for "Actual Matches play by Grand Masters" for Same Direction Cannon. Every move is explained with diagram.

Below is one of the example:

Let me know what you think. All comments/feedback are welcome.

57 Cannon Opening Series #6: The beginning of 57 Cannon

57 Cannon Opening Series #6:

The beginning of 57 Cannon

In the previous post, Black C2+1 defense strategy has gained huge advantages against Red's Central Cannon Center Pawn Advancement attack strategy.

After several attempts, Red has found the solution....there is 57 Cannon Opening. This is how 57 Cannon Opening begins.

  1. C2=5  H8+7    2. H2+3  P3+1    3. R1=2  R9=8    4. C8=7  …………

Red has found the effective move to attack Black! C8=7.
The Central which stays on File 5, and another cannon stays on File is called 57 Cannon Opening.

57 Cannon Opening Series #5: Black C2+1 Defenses Strategy

57 Cannon Opening Series #5:

Black C2+1 Defenses Strategy

In the previous posts, Red 's Central Cannon Center Pawn Attack Strategy had gained huge advantages.

After further analysis, Black has found a efficient move to counter-attack Red's strategy.


  1. C2=5  H8+7    2. H2+3  P3+1    3. R1=2  R9=8    4. R2+6  …………

Red is planned to play P5+1 in next move.

  4. …………  C2+1

An improvement!

57 Cannon Opening Series #4:The Powerful Central Cannon Center Pawn Advancement

57 Cannon Opening Series #4:

The Powerful Central Cannon Center Pawn Advancement

The ancient manual 'Reverse Plum Blossom Manual" said Central Cannon Opening can defeat Screen Horses Defense! 

From the previous post, we had learned that Red's Central Cannon with Center Pawn Advancement attack strategy had gained huge advantages.








  1. C2=5  H8+7    2. H2+3  P3+1

Black P3+1 was popular  in ancient Xiangqi manuals.

Xiangqi Opening Trap: #9 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Xiangqi Opening Trap: 

#9 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Red setup the trap.

Red sacrificed his horse!

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

57 Cannon Opening Series #2: Counter attack of Screen Horses Defenses

57 Cannon Opening Series #2:
Counter attack of Screen Horses Defenses

1. C2=5   H8+7    2. H2+3  …………

During the old days, there were two main variations for Black:

1) R9=8

2) P3+1

In this post, we discuss Black second variation: P3+1

  2. …………  P3+1

Black P3+1 was a common move in ancient manual.

57 Cannon Opening Series #1: The arising of Screen Horses Defenses

57 Cannon Opening Series #1: 
The arising of Screen Horses Defenses

Xiangqi has more than one thousand year history.The ancients believe the most effective opening was Central Cannon, and the best way to counter it  was central cannon as well.

That is why Same Direction Cannons and Opposite Direction Cannons were the famous Xiangqi opening variation during ancient time.

However the Xiangqi ancient manuals "The Secret in Tangerine Manual" and "Plum Blossom Manual" had changed the Xiangqi opening concepts.

Both Xiangqi ancient manuals had highlighted that Screen Horses Defense Opening 3rd Pawn Advancement was able to defeat Central Cannon Opening.

Let review together the power of Screen Horses Defenses from these ancient manuals.

Xiangqi Opening Trap: #8 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Xiangqi Opening Trap: 

#8 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Black setup the trap.

Black sacrificed his horse in order to deploy his cannon to opponent bottom line for massive attack.

Xiangqi Opening Trap: #7 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Xiangqi Opening Trap: 

#7 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Red setup the trap.

Red sacrificed his cannon for massive attack!

Xiangqi Opening Trap: #6 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Xiangqi Opening Trap: 

#6 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Red setup the trap.

Red forced Black to exchange horse, in the return Red is able to launch massive attack at Black's left flank.

Xiangqi Opening Trap: #5 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Xiangqi Opening Trap: 

#5 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Red setup the trap.

Red sacrifice exchanged his cannon with Black's elephant, following with massive attack at center line.

Xiangqi Opening Trap: #4 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Xiangqi Opening Trap: 

#4 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Red setup the trap.

Red deployed his edge cannon to attack Black's bottom line.

Xiangqi Opening Trap: #3 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Xiangqi Opening Trap: 

#3 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

In this game, Black setup the trap and Red has fallen into it.

Black moves his cannon from left flank to right flank to offer chariot exchange is a surprise for Red!