Covered Xiangqi: Mobile APP

Covered Xiangqi

There is a APP for Covered Xiangqi, where you can play online with other players.

They call Mystery Chess!

The game rules are exactly the same as Covered Xiangqi.

http://www.vietson.com/cotuong/

Covered Xiangqi # 2 : Mathematics Statistic - >Probability

Covered Xiangqi # 2 : Mathematics Statistic - >Probability 

Let do some maths before move to next steps.

Below is the definition of Probability derived from wiki.

Probability is the measure of the likelihood that an event will occur. Probability is quantified as a number between 0 and 1 (where 0 indicates impossibility and 1 indicates certainty). The higher the probability of an event, the more certain that the event will occur. A simple example is the tossing of a fair (unbiased) coin. Since the coin is unbiased, the two outcomes ("head" and "tail") are both equally probable; the probability of "head" equals the probability of "tail". Since no other outcomes are possible, the probability is 1/2 (or 50%), of either "head" or "tail". In other words, the probability of "head" is 1 out of 2 outcomes and the probability of "tail" is also 1 out of 2 outcomes, expressed as 0.5 when converted to decimal, with the above-mentioned quantification system.

Another example: Throwing a dice.

When a single die is thrown, there are six possible outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Therefore the probability of any one of them is 1/6.

In general, Probability of an event happening = Number of way it can be happened / Total number of outcomes

However,  Probability is Just a Guide

Probability does not tell us exactly what will happen, it is just a guide.

Now back to Covered Xiangqi.

This is very important for a player to understand probability. The player needs to calculate the probability for a covered piece to be discovered during the entire game. Not only that, the player also needs to calculate the probability for his opponent's covered pieces as well. 

The probability for next covered piece to be discovered will be changed after a piece was discovered. In other words, the player needs to calculate the probability for each move.

However, bear in mind that probability does not tell you exactly which piece will be discovered. It is just a guide! It only can help you to make a decision whether to discovered any piece or not. The actual outcome still depend on your LUCK, but good calculation in probability will increase your LUCK's level. You have higher chance to discover the piece that you wish if you do your math well!

During the initial setup, each player owns 16 Xiangqi pieces, 15 of them are covered. Only the king is discovered.

Therefore for the first move, the probability to discovered a covered pieces that you wish are as below diagram.

So, based on statistic, mostly you will discover a pawn at the first move!

Let do a simple quiz.

Diagram below shown a Covered Xiangqi's  middle game. Black had discover all his pieces, whereas Red still has 2 covered pieces. One covered piece "Pawn Like" stays on File 9, and another discovered piece "Cannon Like" stays on File 2.

Based on the Red's discovered pieces, Red still has a cannon and a horse have not discovered yet.

Now questions:

1) What is the probability for covered piece on File 9 is a Cannon?

2) What is the probability for covered piece on File 2 is a Horse?

3) Based on current situation, Red to move. What is the best move for Red and why?

Post your answers on the comment box.

Have fun!

Covered Xiangqi #1 - a difference way of playing Xiangqi game

Covered Xiangqi #1 - a difference way of playing Xiangqi game

Diagram 1

Covered Xiangqi also known as 揭棋 (in Chinese) or Cờ tướng úp (in Vietnamese), is a strategy board game evolves from traditional Xiangqi game. This game is popular at Southern of China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South East Asia.

The mentioned game uses the same Xiangqi board and Xiangqi pieces. The movement for of the pieces are same as traditional Xiangqi game. The game rules are similar. The objective of the Covered Xiangqi game is to capture opponent's King.

Of course there are some differences.

At the initial setup, both kings are facing up  and stayed on the original position as in traditional Xiangqi game. On each side, the remaining pieces are mixed randomly and put on the board facing down (covered) on the intersection point same as traditional Xiangqi during initial setup. Since the pieces are facing down (or covered), both players are unable to identify the actual identity of the pieces. The Diagram 1 above describes the initial setup of a Covered Xiangqi game.

When the piece is covered, it movement is same as initial traditional Xiangqi piece stays at initial position. The player needs to move the covered piece same as the initial traditional piece stays at that initial position. Once the piece is moved and discovered, the piece will be facing up and disclosed its original identify. After that,  its movement will follow the original discovered piece.

For example, a covered piece on traditional center pawn initial position, its movement is same as a pawn. In other words, it only can move one step forward. After Red moved the piece one step forward, the piece need to be discovered or facing up! Once the piece is discovered, its may became any piece. It can be a pawn or a chariot or a horse or a elephant. In this example, the discovered piece was a horse (Diagram 2). After discovered, the following movement for this discovered piece would be horse. 

Diagram 2

The main difference within Covered Xiangqi and traditional Xiangqi is: The advisor and elephant pieces are allowed to cross the river to opponent's side and aid on attack.

From time to time,  I will start to share with the readers more details on:

1) Basic Opening for Covered Xiangqi

2) Basic Checkmate methods (with combination of advisor and elephant)

A traditional Xiangqi lover can learn how to play Covered Xiangqi in less than 3 minutes. If you are not familiar with traditional Xiangqi, you can refer to my book: "Xiangqi for Absolute Beginners: Teach yourself Xiangqi Step by Step"

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