2015 14th World XiangQi Championship Men's Individual game: Round 1- Lucas Gitter (Germany) loses Matsuno Yoichiro (Japan)

2015 14th World XiangQi Championship Men's Individual game: Round 1- Lucas Gitter (Germany) vs Matsuno Yoichiro (Japan)

Lucas Gitter (Germany)

Matsuno Yoichiro (Japan)

Lucas Gitter (Germany) loses Matsuno Yoichiro (Japan)


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http://wxf.org/xq/14wxc/25.html

Round 1
2015 14th World Xiangqi Championship
Date: 22nd August 2015
Venue: University of Applied Languages (SDI), Munich, Germany

  1. C2=5  …………

Red starts with Central Cannon, a most common xiangqi opening.

  1. …………  H8+7    2. H2+3  H2+3

Black counters with Screen Horses Defense.A common Black's opening to counter with Central Cannon.

  3. P7+1  P7+1    4. R1=2  R9=8
  5. R2+6  C8=9

This opening known as Central Cannon 7th Pawn Cross River Chariot vs Screen Horses Defense offer exchange chariot variation.
Besides Black C8=9,alternative also could play H7+6 for a River Bank Horse variation.

  6. R2=3  C9-1    7. H8+7  R1+1

Most cases, Black would counter with A4+5 to consolidate the center line. R1+1 is newer variation compared with A4+5.

  8. P5+1  …………

Red plans to attack on center line, however P5+1 is not a good move. This is because Black could protect his center line by using the 9th file cannon. The cannon is ready for C9=5 anytime.Red gives his initiative to Black because of P5+1.
A better choice for Red would be C8=9 to develop his left chariot, R9=8 in next move.

  8. …………  C9=7

Correct move.
If Black played R1=6, planning to capture Red right's chariot. However, It would never work.
As demonstration, Black R1=6, Red P5+1, Black C9=7 (Red chariot no way to run, however...), Red P5+1, Black A6+5, Red R3=4 Red would be in advantages.

  9. R3=4  H7+8   10. P5+1  …………

A better choice for Red would be R4=3.

 10. …………  P7+1

Good move!

 11. P5+1  …………

Better would have been P5=4.Black E7+5, Red P4=3. Black H8+7, Red H3+5. Black still in upper hand, however Red might have higher chance compared with the actual game.

 11. …………  C7=5

This is a must-make move for Black. Black cannon had long waiting for it.

 12. R4=1  H8+6

Excellent move!
If Black played P7+1, Red H3+5. Black is not easy to control the situation.

 13. P3+1  …………

If Red H3+5, Black would be H3+5, Red C5+4, Black C2=5. Black would have gained advantages.

 13. …………  H6+7

Better would be H6+4 for material gain easily. Red would force to R9+1. Black H4+2 would gained Red's cannon.
Anyhow, Black H6=7 also could gained huge advantages.

 14. C5+6  …………

Red wanted to fight until the end.

 14. …………  H7-6   15. C5=8  H3+5

Excellent move. Black has gained significant advantages.

 16. A6+5  C2=7

Black C2=7 to gain a Red's cannon.
Instead, a better move for Black would be C2=5, still could gain the cannon. If Red responded with C+-5, Black H6+4!

 17. E7+5  R1=2   18. C8=9  C7=5

Black C7=5 to gain control of center line. This was the reason why Black should C2=5 in 16th move.

 19. R1=4  R8+6

Black also could H6+4 to launch the attack.

 20. C9+4  R2+2   21. H7+6  …………

? Red already give up the game.

 21. …………  H6+4   22. R4=5  H4+3
 23. K5=6  R8=4

Black wins.