2015 14th World Xiangqi Championship: Round 1: Shoshi Kazuharu (Japan) loses Chong Heung Ming (Philippine)

2015 14th World Xiangqi Championship:  Round 1: Shoshi Kazuharu (Japan) loses Chong Heung Ming (Philippines)

Shoshi Kazuharu (Japan)

Chong Heung Ming (Philippines)

2015 14th World Xiangqi Championship:  Round 1:

Shoshi Kazuharu (Japan) loses Chong Heung Ming (Philippine)

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

  1. C2=5  …………

Central cannon opening.

  1. …………  H2+3    2. H2+3  C8=6

Black uses Sandwiched Horse Opening.

  3. R1=2  H8+7    4. C8=6  R1=2
  5. H8+7  C2=1    6. P7+1  P7+1

Both reach a common variation: 56 Cannons 7th File Pawn vs Sandwiched Horses 7th file.

  7. H7+6  E7+5    8. R2+6  R2+6

Planning to play R2=4 in next move.

  9. R2=3  R9=7   10. A6+5  A6+5
 11. P7+1  …………

Good move!

 11. …………  R2-1   12. H6+4  P3+1

Black sacrifices the horse as planned.

 13. R3+1  R7+2   14. H4+3  P3+1

Although Red had gain material, however Red's chariot has not developed yet. Only single horse in front line, whereas Black's pieces are on better position and also a cross-river pawn. Both situation almost equal, Red just slightly upper hand.

 15. R9+2  …………

Since Red has gained material, Red is thinking to exchange the chariot next move R9=8. However, Black has anticipated it. A better choice for Red would be H3+1

 15. …………  P3+1

Good move. Red's chariot still unable to deploy to front line. Although Black has less piece, however he is in command now.

 16. C6-2  …………

Red C6-2 to give way for R9=6.

 16. …………  H3+4

However this also gives opportunity for Black to attack the horse.

 17. C5+4  …………

A better move would be C5=4. If Black H4+5, Red C4=1. Red's situation would not so bad as actual game.

 17. …………  C1=3

Good move! Black is not hurry to play H4+6. He priority is to get all the pieces ready first.

 18. R9=6  …………

E7+5 would be better. if  black followed by H4+6, then H3-2.

 18. …………  H4+6   19. C5-2  C3+7

Good move. Black starts the attack.

 20. C6+9  C3=1   21. K5=6  H6+7

Good move, decoy Red's chariot to less important location.

 22. R6=3  R2+4   23. K6+1  C6+6

Excellent move! Red is in difficult situation.

 24. A5+4  R2-1   25. K6-1  C6=3

Threaten to checkmate C3+1.

 26. C5=9  C1=2   27. K6+1  C3-1
 28. K6+1  P3=4   29. K6=5  K5=4
 30. C9=6  P4=5   31. K5=6  R2-2

Black has demonstrated a beautiful sequence of kills. Black wins.