4-games friendly match within GM Hu RongHua and GM Yang GuanLin in 1960. First time they meet!

GM Hu RongHua vs GM Yang GuanLin: First time they meet in 1960

4-games friendly match within GM Hu RongHua and GM Yang GuanLin in 1960

GM Yang GuanLin and GM Hu RongHua, both are the legendary figure in Xiangqi's history.
Below friendly matches were played in their first meeting in year 1960. During that time, GM Yang already obtained 3 times China National Xiangqi Champion for year 1956, 1957 and 1959, whereas GM Hu was a 14 years young boy.

Game #1

GM Yang GuanLin Loses to GM Hu RongHua

A story regarding the origins of the "The Invincible XiangQi Manual"

A story regarding the origins of the "The Invincible XiangQi Manual" 

烂柯真诀妙通神，

一局曾经几度春。

自出洞来无敌手，

得饶人处且饶人。

There is a saying in Chinese:

“The way of the Lan Ke is deep and profound,

Each game can be analyzed for several years.

After intensive training in a cave, and come out invincible.

It is best to let bygones by bygones”.

"The Lan Ke" in second sentence actually representing another ancient Xiangqi manual. While, the forth sentence is the title of this ancient Xiangqi Manual 自出洞来无敌手.

During the Qing dynasty, under the rule of of Emperor DaoGuang (1820-1850 AD), there was a Xiangqi player called Gu Erxie. He lived in Weifang City in Shangdong Province. Gu was a famous Xiangqi player in his own right and was uncontested.

Horse Sacrifice With Thirteen Moves Kill

Horse Sacrifice With Thirteen Moves Kill

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.

A secret ancient Xiangqi manual 200 years ago

A secret ancient Xiangqi manual 200 years ago

自出洞来无敌手 - In English called "The Invincible XiangQi Manual" was an ancient manual that was supposedly authored by a Taoist priest called Priest Chunyang. Chunyang in Chinese meant “pure sun”. When the manual was published is not known, however believed was published more than 200 years ago. The manual was basically copied by hand and handed down generation by generation and only a handful few was still in circulation during the Qing dynasty.

The entire manual consist of seven chapters. Each chapter contained five games. All the thirty five games did not show any variations these was easier for the readers to study.

GM Hu Rong Hua wins GM Yang GuanLin @ 1960 China National Xiangqi Tournament, a famous match in Xiangqi History

GM Hu RongHua wins GM Yang GuanLin @ 1960 China National Xiangqi Tournament.

One of the famous  match in Xiangqi History.

In year 1960, GM Hu RongHua was 15 years old, and his first time to participate in China National Xiangqi Tournament. This is also the first time for GM Hung played with GM Yang GuanLin in China National Xiangqi Tournament. During that time, GM Yang was already 3-times China national champion, he was known as number 1 Xiangqi player.

In this game, GM Hung sacrificed his horse during opening to gain advantages was a surprise to all. GM Yang also shown his strength in midgame and endgame to minimize the impact during opening.

By wining this game, GM Hu was gained his first title of China National Champion; and started his journey to continuously winning another 9 times, total 10 times China National Champion. 

This is where the legend of GM Hu started!

Let enjoy the match!

#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.