#2 Same Direction Cannon Opening - Horse Sacrifice With Thirteen Moves Kill

#2 Same Direction Cannon Opening  - Horse Sacrifice With Thirteen Moves Kill

If we talked about Same Direction Cannon Opening, there was a opening trap that every Xiangqi player must knows.

Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) has long history. It has been developed at China more than few hundreds years. Several ancient manuals had been published during this year. One of the masterpiece of Xiangqi ancient manual is "The Secret In The Tangerine". According to historical data, it was written in AD1632 during the Ming Dynasty by Zhu JinZhen. There were lot of xiangqi opening traps had been recorded in this manual.As we learnt from this ancient manual,  Xiangqi's opening trap already well developed since many year ago.The term Xiangqi Opening Traps refers to a move which may tempt the opponent to play a losing move in the game's opening.

In order to learn Xiangqi's opening trap well, it is always good to learn from its origin and evolution. The following game from the "The Secret In The Tangerine" manual, is the most famous Xiangqi's opening trap all time.The game is called Horse Sacrifice With Thirteen Moves Kill. This is a must-learn xiangqi opening trap.

  1. C2=5  …………

Red started the game with Central Cannon opening.


  1. …………  C8=5

Black countered with same direction cannon.

  2. H2+3  H8+7    3. R1+1  …………

Red used Ranked Chariot

  3. …………  R9=8

Black responded with Filed Chariot.
Now we reached one of the famous opening, Same Direction Cannons Ranked Chariot vs Filed Chariot. This opening still valid and using nowaday.


  4. R1=6  R8+6

Black R8+6 was too early. According to modern day opening theory, a better move for Black would H2+3. It is always a good strategy to develop both flanks to form balance formation.

  5. R6+7  …………

Red R6+7 was early if modern day xiangqi opening theory need to be applied. As mentioned earlier, Red also should develops its left flank for example H8+7. This would help to balance him both flanks development.

  5. …………  H2+1

Black H2=1 was not ideal. Black would play H2+3 to consolidate its central defense.Black H2+3 may tempted Red to make a losing move R6=7. We will discuss this in next example.

  6. R9+1  …………

!!
R9+1, this is where the well known opening trap was began.
Red R9+1 and leave left's horse unprotected.It gave false incentive to encourage Black play C2+7.

  6. …………  C2+7

Black immediately responded with C2+7 to capture the horse for material gain.Black was fall into the trap and no turning back.
This was a common mistake for beginners. It being tempted by the material gain and forgot to analyse the consequences that could cost him.

  7. C8+5  …………

Excellent move. Black C2+7 gave way for Red C8+5 to attack Black's left horse. As seen on board, Black's central pawn was protected by single horse.Therefore, Black's center defense was weak.This gave Red's golden opportunity to attack.
Red executed his plan C8+5 to attack Black's left horse in order to further weaken Black's center defense.

  7. …………  H7-8

In this variation, Black played H7-8. As a result, Black's central pawn was not protected.

  8. C5+4  …………

Since Black central pawn was no more protection, C5+4 was the easier move for Red.

  8. …………  A6+5    9. R9=6  …………

Excellent move. Red threaten to checkmate with R++1.

  9. …………  K5=6

K5=6, the only move.

 10. +R+1  …………

Excellent move. Red sacrificed his chariot to destroy Black's defense, and in preparation for the final kill.

 10. …………  A5-4

If Black replied with K6+1,still could not secure the king.

 10. …………  K6+1
 11. -R=4  C5=6
 12. R6-1  R1=2
 13. C8=5  R8=7
 14. R6=5  K6-1
 15. R4+6

Red checkmate.

 11. R6=4  …………

Excellent move!

 11. …………  C5=6   12. R4+6  K6=5
 13. C8=5

Double cannons checkmate in thirteen moves.Red wins.

Red wins in thirteen moves.This is the reason we named the game as Horse Sacrifice With Thirteen Moves Kill. 
This is the first opening trap that you must know.