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.