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!

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!

Xiangqi Opening Trap: #2 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Xiangqi Opening Trap: 

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

Red chariot blocks Black Elephant's Eye and threaten to capture Black Elephant

Xiangqi Opening Trap: #1 - Central Cannon vs Screen Horse Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Xiangqi Opening Trap: 

Central Cannon vs Screen Horses Defenses 3rd Pawn Advancement

Red sacrificed exchange his chariot with Black's advisor, following by massive attack!

Puzzle: Xiangqi Opening Trap: Central Cannon Double Headed Snake Variation

Puzzle

Xiangqi Opening Trap: Central Cannon Double Headed Snake Variation

The diagrams shown one the famous Xiangqi Opening Trap. Before reached to this position, the previous move for Red was P7+1 for double headed snake formation. Obviously, Red want to develop his horse in next move.

Therefore, Black replied with C2=3 (Diagram 1). In Black's plan, if Red H8+7, then Black can P3+1 and threaten Red horse directly.... and mostly can gain a crossed river pawn!

Now it is Red's turn, do you think Red still can play H8+7?

Diagram 1

The answer is YES for Red! As planned, Black replied with P3+1. So, what are the tricks here?

Refer to second Diagram 2, Red to move and gained advantages!

One of the variations shown at the bottom of this post.

Same Direction Cannons Opening's Trap: Horse Sacrificed

Same Direction Cannons Opening's Trap: Horse Sacrificed 

This is one of the opening trap for Same Direction Cannons variations.

In this game, at the 9th move, Red sacrificed his horse in return managed to launch long-range attack with combination of chariot and cannon. Toward end of the game, Red also played well to save his king from checkmate, and had demonstrated beautiful counter-attack.

The techniques applied in this game are useful for Xiangqi lovers to further develop their midgame skill.

Enjoy reading.

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.

Same Direction Cannon Opening: Black Edge Horse variation

Same Direction Cannon Opening: Black Edge Horse variation

This opening was discussed during a local Xiangqi tournament recently.

  1. C2=5  C8=5

The game begins with Same Direction Cannons opening.

  2. H2+3  H8+7    3. R1=2  R9+1

Red has selected filed chariot whereas Black has selected ranked chariot.

  4. H8+7  R9=4    5. P3+1  H2+1

Usually, Black would play H2+3 for proper horse formation to consolidate his center file.
In this game, Black has selected edge horse, this is one of the old variation for Same Direction Cannons Opening.

  6. H3+4  …………

Since there is only one Black's left horse to protect center pawn, Red advances his horse to attack the center pawn

  6. …………  R4+4    7. H4+5  H7+5    8. C5+4  A4+5    9. E7+5  R4+1

In this game, Black has played R4+1, which is a mistake. The correct move should be C2=4 or C2=3.

Therefore, what is the best move for Red? This is where the discussion started.

#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.

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  …………

Xiangqi Opening Trap: Black did not capture the sacrificed horse

Black did not capture the sacrificed horse
From the previous game, we had learnt the trap applied by Red.

In this game, Black did not capture the sacrificed horse. However, Red had demonstrated several attack tactics 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  …………

Red have applied the same tactic to tempt Black play C2+7.

  6. …………  A6+5

Black learnt from previous game, C2+7 would led to dismal result. Therefore, in this variation, Black did not play C2+7. Instead, replied with A6+5 to strengthen the central defense.

  7. R9=4  …………

Red still remain his left's horse in sacrificed position. R9=4 was a smart move to allow Red gained control of forth file.

  7. …………  C2=4

Black has learnt from his mistakes. Black had have no intention to capture the sacrificed horse. Therefore, Black C2=4 to give way for R1=2, to develop his right's chariot in next move. Diagram 1.

Diagram 1

  8. R4+7  …………

Both Red's chariot were lined up in Black second bottom line. Red was in preparation to launch the massive attack from here.

  8. …………  R1=2    9. C8+6  …………

Smart move. Red has advanced the left's cannon to restrict Black's chariot movement.In additional to this, Red also decoy black to play P3+1.

  9. …………  P3+1

As Red wish, Black stepped into the trap designed by Red. Black P3+1 was in preparation H1+3 to capture Black's chariot and cannon simultaneously. It seems a good plan.However, P3+1 will be valid in most cases except here.Red already anticipated, and well prepared for it. Diagram 2.

Diagram 2

 10. C8=5  …………

Excellent move. Red C8=5 to destroy Black's defense.

 10. …………  A4+5

A4+5 was a must-move for Black.If Black responded with H1+3.


 10. …………  H1+3

Weak move.

 11. C5-2  A4+5
 12. R6-1

Red would gain a free cannon.
It also proved that Black P3+1 at 9th move was useless.


 11. C5=6  …………

Another excellent move. Red setup another trap.
Black has three options at this situation.There are explained as below.

a) Variation Black R2+9
In the surface, Black would gain free horse if played R2+9.


 11. …………  R2+9
 12. R4=5  …………

A surprised move for Black.

 12. …………  H7-5
 13. R6+1

Red checkmate and wins.


b) Variation Black C4+7
Black C4+7 so that Red could not utilized Black's cannon as cannon mount.

 12. K5=6  …………

However, this also allow Red's king to aid in attack.

 12. …………  R2+9   13. C6=5  …………

Excellent move!! Red C6=5 would allow the king to aid in attack, and at the same time, planned to attack Black's central pawn.

 13. …………  C5=4

Black C5=4 was to prevent Red' attack with king's help.


 14. C5+4  …………

!! Excellent move.Black's left horse carried great responsibility, i.e. protecting the single advisor or central pawn. This allowed Red to sacrifice his cannon to exchange with Black's central pawn.


 14. …………  H7+5   15. R4=5  K5=6
 16. R6+1

Red checkmate and wins.

c) Black C4=3 variation

 12. H8+7  R8=7   13. H3-5  …………

Smart move. Red would deployed right horse to support the front line.

 13. …………  C5+4   14. H5+6  …………

!! Red threaten to end the game with R4=5, followed by R6+1.

 14. …………  C3=4

C3=4 was a must-move for Black to secure the king.

 15. C6+5  C5-1   16. H6-4  …………

A wise move. Red did not forgot to defense the backyard before launched the total offensive.

 16. …………  R7=5   17. H7-5  …………

Another wise move to defend from Black's attack. Black could not followed by discovered check C5=6.

 17. …………  A5+4   18. H4+5  …………

A wise move. Red have exchanged the horse with most powerful Black's central cannon. After the exchanged, Red could focused on the offensive, and prevented any trouble happened at the backyard..

 18. …………  R5-1   19. R4=3  E7+5
 20. R3-1  H1+3   21. R6=4

Black could not stop Red C3+2. Red wins.

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

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

In this game, Black learnt from Horse Sacrifice with thirteen Moves Kill  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  …………

Red applied the same tactic to tempt Black play C2+7.Diagram 1.

Diagram 1

  6. …………  R8=7

Black was not tempted. Black had learnt from previous game and did not reply with C2+7. Black knew that he need the cannon in current position to protect horse and defend the center line.Therefore, Black played according to his plan, attack Red's right horse.

  7. R9=4  …………

Red just remained his left's horse in sacrificed position. R9=4 was a smart move where Red would gain control of forth file.

  7. …………  A6+5

Black learnt from previous game, C2+7 would led to dismal result. Therefore,Black did not play C2+7. Instead, replied with A6+5 to strengthen the central defense.

  8. C5=6  …………

C5=6 was another trap well prepared by Red! Diagram 2.

In the previous example, we had learnt that Red would launched massive attack on center line after Black captured the sacrificed horse.Red's central cannon was played important role for this center line attack strategy. However, Red C5=6 moved away from center line. With C5=6, Red could not launched the attack from center anymore. It seems no risk for Black to gain the free horse with C2+7.

Diagram 2

  8. …………  C2+7

Unconsciously, Black fallen into trap. Black cannon C2+7 left his original position and could not protect left's horse anymore.This was the objective of Red.

  9. C6+7  …………

An excellent move. Red executed his plan accordingly, started with C6+7 to destroy Black defense.

  9. …………  A5-4   10. R6=3  …………

Diagram 3. As seen on board, Black's left horse was unprotected after Black C2+7.This was the result after Black fallen into the trap.This allowed Red to form massive attack on Black's left flank.

Diagram 3

 10. …………  A4+5

Black A4+5 was a must-move.

 11. R3-1  …………

Correct move.Red should not played C3+1.

 11. R3+1  H7-6

Red's attack would be slowed down.Red would be in disadvantage position.

With C3-1, Red would have gained back the material that his lost just now. In additional, Red's double chariots could formed a strong alliance to attack Black's left flank. Red would be in advantage position.

 11. …………  K5=4   12. R4+7  …………

Red planned to capture Black's advisor in next move with R4=5.

 12. …………  R1+1   13. R3+2  K4+1

 14. R4=5  …………

!! Excellent move. Diagram 4. Red sacrificed his chariot to trade with Black's advisor. Black's king was led onto the platform of the guillotine after the exchanged.

Diagram 4

 14. …………  K4=5   15. R3-1  K5-1

 16. C8+7

Red checkmate and wins.Diagram 5.

Diagram 5