2015 14th World Xiangqi Championship: Round 1: Olavi Stenman (Finland) draws Oliver Breitschaedel (Germany)

2015 14th World Xiangqi Championship:  Round 1: Olavi Stenman (Finland) draws Oliver Breitschaedel (Germany)

Olavi Stenman (Finland) draws Oliver Breitschaedel (Germany)

Olavi Stenman (Finland) draws Oliver Breitschaedel (Germany)

Olavi Stenman (Finland)

Oliver Breitschedel (Germany)

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

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

  1. C2=5  C8=5

Black counters with Same Direction Cannon.This is also one of my favour opening :)

  2. H2+3  H8+7    3. R1=2  R9+1

Here we reached Same Direction Cannons Filed Chariot vs Ranked Chariot.

  4. H8+7  R9=4    5. P3+1  H2+3
  6. P7+1  …………

Red opening was Central Cannon with Double Snake Head.Red's 3rd and 7th file pawns were developed just like a double snake heads.
This is one of the efficient formation for Red to counter with Black same direction cannon.

  6. …………  C2=1

The most common for Black is R1+1 for a double ranked chariot.
However in this game, Black plays C2=1, a second common variation. Obviously, Black would like to play R1=2 in next move.

  7. R9=8  …………

Of course, Red would developed his chariot first.

  7. …………  R1=2

As seen on board, Red's left horse would be the targetting by Black.

  8. R2+6  …………

A better move would be C8+4 to limit the mobilization of Black's right chariot.In the sametime, also able to reduce the pressure of Red's left horse.

  8. …………  P5+1

Black should develop his right's chariot, either R2+4 or R2+6.If Red insist of R2=3, Black could respond with C5-1.

  9. R2=3  H3+5

Bad move. Black should C5-1.

 10. A4+5  …………

Red A4+5 missed the oppotunity. A better move for Red would be H3+4, Black's horse would be in difficult situation.

 10. …………  R2+4

Black R2+4 could not stop Red H3+4.In order to turn the situation, Black should play P3+1 in order to release the pressure on central horse.


 11. C8=9  …………

Red should H3+4..

 11. …………  R2+5   12. H7-8  R4+4
 13. C9+4  P3+1   14. P7+1  …………

A better move would be H8+7. If Black H3=4, Red could C9=7 and would gain the chariot.

 14. …………  H5+3   15. C5+3  A4+5

A better move would be H7+5.

 16. R3=7  …………

Waste move, should E7+5.

 16. …………  H3-1   17. R7=9  R4=7
 18. R9=7  H7+5   19. R7+3  A5-4
 20. R7-3  R7+2   21. R7=5  R7+2

Instead, Black could try C5-1 to setup a small trap for Red.If Red R5=3 for discover check, Black would C5+5 check and gain the Black's chariot.
If Red did not R5=3 insead E7+5 to protect his elephant, Black could play C1=5, and would gain Red's cannon.


 22. A5-4  A4+5   23. C5+2  E7+5
 24. R5+1  C1=4

Red is in huge advantages. Technically, Red could win this end game.

 25. H8+7  R7-3   26. H7+6  R7=9
 27. H6+7  R9-1   28. P5+1  R9+1
 29. P9+1  R9=4   30. A4+5  R4-3
 31. H7-9  P9+1   32. H9-7  R4+2
 33. E7+5  P9+1   34. P5+1  P9=8
 35. P5+1  C4+2   36. P5=6  …………

After compared the actual game, seems P5=4 would be better.

 36. …………  C4=2   37. R5=8  …………

To prevent Black R4=3.

 37. …………  C2=3   38. P9+1  C3=9
 39. R8+2  …………

? not necessary.

 39. …………  A5-4   40. R8-4  C9+1
 41. R8=5  …………

P4=3 would be better for Red, preparation for H7+8 or H7+6.

 41. …………  A4+5   42. P9=8  P8+1
 43. P8+1  C9=3   44. E5+7  R4-2

Draws.