#3 Same Direction Cannon Game from Golden Roc Eighteen Variation manual.

#3 Same Direction Cannon Game from Golden Roc Eighteen Variation manual.

Same Direction Cannon Opening full game also documented on an ancient manual called "Golden Roc Eighteen Variation".This ancient manual was published in Ming Dynasty before year 1540.

Golden Roc Eighteen Variation manual had described in detail for Same Direction Cannon and Difference Direction Cannon Opening.
Even another ancient manual "The Secret In The Tangerine" also documented some of its full games from "Golden Roc Eighteen Variation" manual.

Let review together, one of the game from this famous Xiangqi ancient manual Golden Roc Eighteen Variation.

  1. C2=5  C8=5

Same Direction Cannon Opening

  2. H2+3  H8+7    3. R1+1  …………

Red had chosen Ranked Chariot variation.

Another option for Red is to play R1=2 for Filed Chariot variation.

  3. …………  R9=8

Filed Chariot.

Both reach Same Direction Cannon Ranked Chariot vs Filed Chariot variation, this is one of the main variation for Same Direction Cannon. This variation is still often see in today Xiangqi Tournament.

  4. R1=6  A4+5

Black A4+5 was a bad move.

As modern day Xiangqi Opening theory, Black A4+5 is like opening the back door for the enemy.

  5. R6+7  H2+1

Not a smart choice.

In ancient manual, Black always form edge horses for defense.This is not always correct especially for Central Cannon opening.

If today Xiangqi Opening Theory applied, Black could play H2+3 for proper horses formation. Black would not worry Red to play R6=7 in next move, because Black could counter with C2+2!

  6. P7+1  R8+6    7. H8+7  R8=7
  8. H7+6  P7+1    9. P9+1  P7+1
 10. P9+1  P1+1   11. R9+5  …………

As seen, both Red chariots had fully develop and enter into the battle field.

 11. …………  C2=3   12. R6=8  …………

This is to prevent Black plays C1=2. This tactic is always use.

 12. …………  P7=6   13. H6+5  …………

Since Black's middle pawn only protected by a single horse, Red could trade the pieces and gain control of middle line.
This is the weakness for an edge horse defense variation.


 13. …………  H7+5   14. C5+4  R7+1

Black captures sacrificed horse...

 15. R9+2  …………

The key move!

 15. …………  R1+2   16. R8=5  …………

Another key move!

 16. …………  A6+5   17. C8+7

Red checkmates.

Red had sacrificed both of his chariots to win the game!