57 Cannon Opening Series #2: Counter attack of Screen Horses Defenses

57 Cannon Opening Series #2:
Counter attack of Screen Horses Defenses

1. C2=5   H8+7    2. H2+3  …………

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

1) R9=8

2) P3+1

In this post, we discuss Black second variation: P3+1

  2. …………  P3+1

Black P3+1 was a common move in ancient manual.

  3. R1=2  R9=8    4. R2+6  H2+3

Screen Horses Defenses formation.

  5. H8+9  …………

Red had learnt that R2=3 was a bad move.

In this game, Red played H8+9 for balance formation. This is an improvement.

  5. …………  E3+5    6. R9+1  P7+1    7. R9=6  H7+6

Good move. Prepare for P7+1.

  8. R2=4  H6+7    9. R6+5  A4+5   10. R4=2  …………

Red should play C5=6.

 10. …………  H7-6

Black took the opportunity to attack Red's chariots.

 11. R6=7  P7+1

Black was planning to sacrifice his horse for massive counter-attack.

 12. R2-1  H6+4   13. R7+1  …………

As planned.

 13. …………  C8=3   14. R2+4  P3+1

Excellent move!

 15. P7+1  C3+7   16. A6+5  R1=3   17. C5=6  R3+5   18. E3+5  H4+5

Black sacrificed the remaining horse.

 19. C8=5  C3=1   20. A5+4  C2+6

Good move!

 21. C5+4  R3+4   22. K5+1  R3-1   23. K5+1  C2-1   24. C6+4  R3=1

Good move.

 25. C5=9  C1=3   26. R2-4  C3-2

Black checkmates.

In these ancient manual "Plum Blossom Manual", Black Screen Horses Defense with 3rd Pawn advancement was easily defeated Red's Central Cannon! During that time, Red as Central Cannon had not found a valid move to counter this variation....until next ancient manual "Reverse Plum Blossom Manual" was published!