Sergei Korchitskij loses to Huang ChunLong @ 28th Jan 2017

Sergei Korchitskij loses to Huang ChunLong

2017 30th European Xiangqi Tournament
2017-01-28

Palcorner Cannon vs Right Central Cannon

Sergei Korchitskij Loses to Huang ChunLong
2017 30th European Xiangqi Tournament
28th Jan 2017

This match was played in 2017, 30th European Xiangqi Tournament at Munich within Sergei Korchitskij (Belarus) and Huang ChunLong (UK).

Huang ChunLong is a Grandmaster whereas Sergei is a new comer in European Xiangqi competition.

  1. C2=4  …………

Sergei started with C2=4, is known as Palcorner Cannon Opening. As  my understanding, Sergei has used the same opening Palcorner Cannon Openings for all his games in this tournament.

Based on Xiangqi statistic, Palcorner Cannon is not a popular opening. From my records, the winning rate for Palcorner Cannon opening is around 34%.

  1. …………  C2=5

GM Huang ChunLong responded with C2=5, is known as Right Central Cannon. C2=5 is known as most effective move for Black to against Red's Palcorner Cannon Opening.

Based on statistic, the winning rate for Red has further dropped to 29% if Black responded with C2=5.

Beside C2=5, P7+1 could be another main choice for Black. However, the winner rate for Red would increased to 40%. Low winning rate of Black caused P7+1 less popular than C2=5.

  2. H8+7  H2+3    3. H2+3  …………



By moving H2+3, Red had transformed his Palcorner Opening to Sandwiched Horses Defense Opening.This was a smart decision.

As we know, Black uses Sandwiched Horses Defense is already able to counter with Red Central Cannon.In this game, Red had transformed to Sandwiched Horses Defense to against Black's Central Cannon. By theory, Red has gained somehow better position.

  3. …………  H8+9    4. R1=2  R9=8    5. R9=8  R1=2

Now both had reached Sandwiched Horses Defense Double Filed Chariots vs Central Cannon Single Horse Defense Double Filed Chariots variation.

  6. P7+1  …………

Red P7+1 is less popular. Normally, Red would played C8+4 to prevent Black to develop his right chariot.

  6. …………  R2+4

Of course Black played C2+4. Black would not allowed Red to play C8+4 in next move since Red already played P7+1.


  7. C4+5  …………

Red C4+5 is a book move.

If Red played E7+5, Black could P9+1 then followed by H9+8. Black would gain huge advantage.

  7. …………  P3+1

Correct move.

If Black played C8=7, R2+9, H9-8,C8=9, R2=6, C4=7, C8=3, R8+6. Red would have gained more pawn.

  8. C4=1  E7+9

A better for Black would have been C5=9.

  9. R2+4  C8+2

Black C8+2 and plan to C8=5 for discover check was too easy for Red to respond.

A better choice for Black would be P3+1 then follow by H3+4.

 10. E7+5  …………

Of course.

Now we could observe that Black's left cannon suppose to protect his horse had left the original position.Black could not play P3+1 anymore in next move.Therefore, Black C8+2 in previous move was inefficient.

 10. …………  R8+2

? Unknown purpose.

Perhaps Black was planning to play P3+1 in next move, R8+2 was planning in advance to protect his horse by playing C5-1.

 11. P7+1  …………

However Red P7+1 spoiled Black's original plan.

 11. …………  R2=3   12. H7+8  …………

A better choice would be H7+6 to prevent Black plays R8=6 then R6+2.

 12. …………  R8-1

?

A better choice would be R8=6.

 13. C8=7  …………

Good move!

 13. …………  H3+2   14. R8=7  …………

A better move would be A6+5  or applied a tempt move P3+1.

If Black responded with C5=8, Red would played C7+7 and gained advantages.For example, if Black followed by A4+5, H8-6, R3=4, H3+4, R4=6, P3+1, R6=7, R2+1!

 14. …………  E3+1

Of course!

 15. A4+5  C5=8

A better choice for Black would be R8=6 to command this File first.

 16. R2=4  …………

Now Red commands File 4.

Red has better formation and somehow better position now.

 16. …………  C8=2   17. C7=8  R8=3   18. R7+5  …………

Too hurry for Red to exchange. Black's chariot on riverbank had a duty to protect his horse, therefore could not simply leave this position. Red could just wait for Black to exchange his chariot.

Red could move other piece example P3+1 would be a better choice.


 18. …………  R3+3   19. H8-6  R3-2   20. C8+5  R3=2   21. P3+1  …………

The board situation is rather stable now.

 21. …………  R2=4   22. H6+8  H2+4   23. H8+9  C8-3

Black C8-3 allowed Red to advance his right horse easily. Black H6+2 would be better choice.


 24. K5=4  A4+5   25. H3+2  A5+6   26. H2+3  C8=1   27. H9-8  A6-5

A better move would be E9-7

 28. H3+1

Red's time had exceeded, Black win.

As seen on board, Red already had gained advantages with additional 2 pawns and in better position. However, time exceeded, Black won the game.