2015 14th World Xiangqi Championship: Round 1: Gollmar Bastian (Germany) loses Chen Fazuo (UK)

2015 14th World Xiangqi Championship: Round 1: Gollmar Bastian (Germany) loses Chen Fazuo (UK)

Left- Chen Fazuo (UK), Right - Gollmar Bastian (Germany) 

Gollmar Bastian (Germany) 

Chen Fazuo (UK)

Gollmar Bastian (Germany) loses Chen Fazuo (UK)

Click below to view dynamic board.
http://wxf.org/xq/14wxc/11.html

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

  1. C8=5  …………

Red uses Central Cannon, a favor Xiangqi Opening by Westerner.

  1. …………  C2=5

Black counters Same Direction Cannon.

  2. H8+7  H2+3    3. R9=8  R1+1

Both reach Same Direction Cannons Filed Chariot vs Ranked Chariot.

  4. C2=4  …………

Red C2=4 is rare. Normally, Red would have been played H2+3 to consolidate center defense.

  4. …………  H8+7    5. H2+3  R9=8
  6. R1=2  C8+4

Black advances Cannon is a common tactic to block the movement of Red right's chariot, however not at this point.
A better choice for Black could be R1=6, then follow by P3+1.

  7. P3+1  …………

Not a good idea. Since Black had advanced his Cannon, a better move for Red would be C4+5.Black would forced R1=3, then Red could R8+6. Red would gain initiative on pieces development.Red P3+1 also caused other issues which would be shown in next few moves.

  7. …………  R1=6    8. A4+5  …………

As seen on board, Black's left cannon is more efficient now. Beside blocking the movement of Red's chariot, Black's cannon also has another option C8=3! This is all caused by Red P3+1.

  8. …………  P3+1    9. E7+9  …………

Red E7+9 to prevent Black gains the initiative if C8=3.

  9. …………  R6+5

Better would have been H3+4 before Red R8+4.

 10. R8+4  H3+4   11. R8=6  R8+4

Of course. Prepare for C5=4 in next move.

 12. P3+1  …………

A better move would be H3-1.
If Black replied with C5=4, Red P3+1!

 12. …………  R8=7   13. H3+2  …………

Seems a smart move for Red. In face, Black still in command.

 13. …………  R6=7   14. C4=3  +R+1
 15. R2+3  +R+2   16. A5-4  C5=4

Excellent move!

 17. R6=8  H4+3   18. E9-7  R7=4
 19. A6+5  …………

A better move would be P5+1.

 19. …………  R4+4

Another smart move,  Black has gained huge advantages.

 20. R2-1  P7+1

Also could R4=3.

 21. H2+1  …………

Mistake, caused Red losing a piece. Better choice would be C5=3.

 21. …………  H3+5

Good move, Black has gained a piece.

 22. R2=5  H7+9   23. P1+1  P7+1

A better move would be R3-4, force to exchange the chariot.

 24. P1+1  H9+7   25. P1=2  H7-6
 26. E7+9  C4+2   27. P5+1  R7-3
 28. R5=4  A6+5   29. R8=6  R4-3
 30. H7+6  R7=1

Red resigns. Black wins.