4-games friendly match within GM Hu RongHua and GM Yang GuanLin in 1960. First time they meet!

GM Hu RongHua vs GM Yang GuanLin: First time they meet in 1960

4-games friendly match within GM Hu RongHua and GM Yang GuanLin in 1960

GM Yang GuanLin and GM Hu RongHua, both are the legendary figure in Xiangqi's history.
Below friendly matches were played in their first meeting in year 1960. During that time, GM Yang already obtained 3 times China National Xiangqi Champion for year 1956, 1957 and 1959, whereas GM Hu was a 14 years young boy.

Game #1

GM Yang GuanLin Loses to GM Hu RongHua

A story regarding the origins of the "The Invincible XiangQi Manual"

A story regarding the origins of the "The Invincible XiangQi Manual" 

烂柯真诀妙通神，

一局曾经几度春。

自出洞来无敌手，

得饶人处且饶人。

There is a saying in Chinese:

“The way of the Lan Ke is deep and profound,

Each game can be analyzed for several years.

After intensive training in a cave, and come out invincible.

It is best to let bygones by bygones”.

"The Lan Ke" in second sentence actually representing another ancient Xiangqi manual. While, the forth sentence is the title of this ancient Xiangqi Manual 自出洞来无敌手.

During the Qing dynasty, under the rule of of Emperor DaoGuang (1820-1850 AD), there was a Xiangqi player called Gu Erxie. He lived in Weifang City in Shangdong Province. Gu was a famous Xiangqi player in his own right and was uncontested.

Horse Sacrifice With Thirteen Moves Kill

Horse Sacrifice With Thirteen Moves Kill

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.

A mountain as a wager: The story of an emperor losing the Mount Hua - Part #3

A mountain as a wager: The story of an emperor losing the Mount Hua - Part #3

For Part #1, click here
For part #2, click here 

In  second game, Zhao plays Red; Chen plays Black.

A mountain as a wager: The story of an emperor losing the Mount Hua - Part #2

A mountain as a wager: The story of an emperor losing the Mount Hua - Part #2

For the background story, click: A mountain as a wager: The story of an emperor losing the Mount Hua - Part #1

The story of Emperor Taizu of Song losing the Mount Hua is the most widely spread in the folk story of Xiangqi in China. At that time, Emperor Taizu of Song was not a emperor yet. He was a regular military soldier of the Later Zhou dynasty and was using his personal name, Zhao Kuangyin. Zhao was excellent in Xiangqi. Due to his high level of xiangqi skill, he was started to behave cocky. 

A mountain as a wager: The story of an emperor losing the Mount Hua - Part #1

A mountain as a wager: The story of an emperor losing the Mount Hua - Part #1

The Bigger Bet Win Ever!

The Time Frame - Around 950 AD

Happened more than a thousand year ago, around year 950 AD.

The Location - The Chess Pavilion

GM Hu Rong Hua wins GM Yang GuanLin @ 1960 China National Xiangqi Tournament, a famous match in Xiangqi History

GM Hu RongHua wins GM Yang GuanLin @ 1960 China National Xiangqi Tournament.

One of the famous  match in Xiangqi History.

In year 1960, GM Hu RongHua was 15 years old, and his first time to participate in China National Xiangqi Tournament. This is also the first time for GM Hung played with GM Yang GuanLin in China National Xiangqi Tournament. During that time, GM Yang was already 3-times China national champion, he was known as number 1 Xiangqi player.

In this game, GM Hung sacrificed his horse during opening to gain advantages was a surprise to all. GM Yang also shown his strength in midgame and endgame to minimize the impact during opening.

By wining this game, GM Hu was gained his first title of China National Champion; and started his journey to continuously winning another 9 times, total 10 times China National Champion. 

This is where the legend of GM Hu started!

Let enjoy the match!