57 Cannon Opening Series #1: The arising of Screen Horses Defenses

57 Cannon Opening Series #1: 
The arising of Screen Horses Defenses

Xiangqi has more than one thousand year history.The ancients believe the most effective opening was Central Cannon, and the best way to counter it  was central cannon as well.

That is why Same Direction Cannons and Opposite Direction Cannons were the famous Xiangqi opening variation during ancient time.

However the Xiangqi ancient manuals "The Secret in Tangerine Manual" and "Plum Blossom Manual" had changed the Xiangqi opening concepts.

Both Xiangqi ancient manuals had highlighted that Screen Horses Defense Opening 3rd Pawn Advancement was able to defeat Central Cannon Opening.

Let review together the power of Screen Horses Defenses from these ancient manuals.



  1. C2=5  …………

C2=5 is known as Central Cannon.

  1. …………  H8+7    2. H2+3  …………

During the old days, there were two main variations for Black:

1) R9=8
2) P3+1



  2. …………  R9=8

Variation #1:

  3. R1=2  H2+3

Black had formed proper hourses to protect the center line. Both horses look like a screen lined up in the front-line to protect the palace.That is why this opening is called Screen Horses Defense.

  4. R2+6  P3+1

Black P3+1 was common in the ancient manual.

  5. R2=3  …………

Red is too hurry!

  5. …………  C8-1

Good move!

  6. R3-1  …………

Red is planning for R3=7 to capture Black's 3rd pawn.

  6. …………  C8=3

Excellent move. Better than E3+1.
If Black played E3+1, Red would played C8+4!

  7. C8=7  …………

Red continue to pressure Black's 3th line.

  7. …………  R8+2

Excellent move.Red is planning to play E3+5 in next move.

  8. H8+9  …………

If Red played P7+1, would not gained any advntages as well.
Example:
Red P7+1, E3+5, R3-1, C3=7, R3=6, R8+2.

  8. …………  E3+5

As planned by Black.

  9. R3+1  …………

Poor move! A better move would be R3-1.
Let observe how could Black gained the advantages because of Red's mistake.

  9. …………  H3+4   10. P3+1  …………

Red played P3+1 is to prevent Black H4+6. However, this also make no room for Red's chariot to escape.

 10. …………  R8+4

Black setup trap, next move would be C3=7 to capture Red's chariot.

 11. C5+4  …………

Correct move.
If Red R9=8, Black would C3=7!

 11. …………  H7+5   12. R3=5  C3=5

A continuous move after exchanged the horse with Red's cannon.

 13. R5=8  H4+5

Excellent move!

 14. H3+5  C5+5   15. R8+1  R8+1   16. R9=8  R8=3   17. K5+1  P1+1
 18. +R+2  …………

Red forces to exchange the chariot!

 18. …………  R1=2   19. R8+9

As seen on board, Black has gained advantages by having better positioning.