My Books: The XiangQi Master From The Cave
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| The Xiangqi Master From The Cave |
Xiangqi, or Chinese Chess which more Westerners may be acquainted with, is an ancient game with strategy that has been played for at least a thousand years.
Showing posts with label ancient manual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ancient manual. Show all posts
Sunday, April 2, 2017
My Books: The XiangQi Master From The Cave
Xiangqi, or Chinese Chess which more Westerners may be acquainted with, is an ancient game with strategy that has been played for at least a thousand years.
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.
Friday, March 31, 2017
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.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
A secret ancient Xiangqi manual 200 years ago
A secret ancient Xiangqi manual 200 years ago
自出洞来无敌手 - In English called "The Invincible XiangQi Manual" was an ancient manual that was supposedly authored by a Taoist priest called Priest Chunyang. Chunyang in Chinese meant “pure sun”. When the manual was published is not known, however believed was published more than 200 years ago. The manual was basically copied by hand and handed down generation by generation and only a handful few was still in circulation during the Qing dynasty.
The entire manual consist of seven chapters. Each chapter contained five games. All the thirty five games did not show any variations these was easier for the readers to study.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
The character of “自”- Since - Game #5
Game #5
In Game #5, Red would demonstrate several middle game tactics and skills in basic kills in order to win the game.
Friday, July 1, 2016
The character of “自”- Since - Game #4
The character of “自”- Since
Game #4
Game #4
In Game #4, we will learn how to maneuver the pieces to gain advantageous positions.
1. C8=5 C2=5
2. H8+7 H2+3
3. R9+1 R1=2
4. R9=4 A6+5
5. R4+7 H8+9
6. P3+1 R2+6
7. H2+3 R2=3
8. H3+4 P3+1
The first eight moves were the same as in the previous examples. Diagram 1.4a. Please refer to Game #1 for detailed explanations.
Diagram 1.4a
9. H4+3 C8=7
In this game, Black improvised and for his ninth ply, Black chose to play C8=6, which was a bad move. In Game #4, Black make corrections and played C8=7 which was still insufficient as could be seen by Black's dismal outcome. C8=7 would still be a good move in this situation but more could have been done. Diagram 1.4b.
We can see by going through the game how the ancient Chinese players improvised and learnt from their mistakes, making corrections and perfecting their play. It is very important to learn from your mistakes.
Diagram 1.4b
10. H3+5 …………
Red would still use the same strategy as in Game #3, trading the Black central cannon with the Red horse. However, the situation was different as at Game #3. In Game #3, Black cannon was at palcorner (Black’s sixth file), so the strategy was valid. Unfortunately, in Game #4, Black cannon was at file number seven. Red C2+5 would not be an ideal move.
10. ……. E3+5
11. C2+5 C7+7
Red had attempted C2+5 as in Game #3. However, Black’s C7+7 actually provided a chance for Red to attack. Diagram 1.4c. A better move for Black would be to play R3+1. If Red answered with C2=5, Black would defend with A5-6 and Red would not be able to continue his attack.
Diagram 1.4c
12. R1=3 R3+1
13. C2=7 R3=2
14. C5+4 R2-7
This is to prevent Red's C7+2 checkmate. Diagram 1.4d
Diagram 1.4d
15. P3+1 R9=8
16. A4+5 R8+3
17. P3=2 …………
Red's P3=2 to maneuver the pawn to attack was timely and brilliant. Diagram 1.4e. This would allow Red's chariot to team up with the other chariot for an attack. This tactic is often used during the middle game.
Diagram 1.4e
17. ………… R8=5
Black would have lived slightly longer with R8-3. However, it would just be a matter of time before Red won.
18. R3+9 A5-6
19. R3=4
Double Chariots Checkmate. Red wins. Diagram 1.4f.
Diagram 1.4f
If you would like to buy the full version of "The XiangQi Master From The Cave", please visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HQIVENU
Thursday, June 30, 2016
The character of “自”- Since - Game #3
The character of “自”- Since - Game #3
Game #3
In Game #3, Red would demonstrate a third attacking strategy: attacking from the center. Red's chariot would block the Black elephant’s eye in order for the Red horse to trade with the Black cannon. Later, Red would advance his cannon to initiate a series of attack.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
The character of “自”- Since - Game #2
Game #2
In this game, Red would demonstrate how to sacrifice two chariots to set up a Throat Cutting Checkmate in conjunction with the Heaven and Earth Cannons.
1. C8=5 C2=5 2. H8+7 H2+3
3. R9+1 R1=2 4. R9=4 A6+5
5. R4+7 H8+9 6. P3+1 R2+6
7. H2+3 R2=3 8. H3+4 P3+1
The first eight moves are the same as in the previous examples.Game #1 Diagram 1.2a. Please refer to Game #1 for detailed explanations.
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| Diagram 1.2a |
9. P1+1 …………
In Game #2, Red used a different strategy to attack. However, by modern day standards, Red's P1+1 would not be ideal.
Black could immediately counter with C8+3 to attack Red's horse which would be in an awkward position.
9. ………… P3+1 10. P1+1 …………
Red's P9+1 is a must-make move in this position.
10. ………… P9+1 11. R1+5 …………
Red’s R1+5 is a brilliant move under the circumstances, resulting in containment of Black’s chariot and horse. This would be a blockade to seal off Black’s left flank.
11. ………… P3=4
By moving P3=4, Black showed that he did not understand the gravity of the situation. A better choice for Black would be C8=6.
12. R4=2 …………
Diagram 1.2b. Red's R4=2 is a move that does many things. The Red chariot is threatening to capture the Black cannon, while at the same time, blocking the elephant’s eye. This is to prepare for the final attack.
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| Diagram 1.2b |
12. ………… C8=7
Black’s C8=7 would be a mistake. Black would have been better off with C8=6.
13. H4+5 …………
Red started his attack from the center.
13. ………… H3+5
Black's H3+5 would be another mistake.
14. C5+4 R3+1
Black only way to save the king would be C7-1.
15. R1+2 …………
Diagram 1.2c. Red sacrificed the chariot for the Black horse.
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| Diagram 1.2c |
15. ………… R9+2 16. R2=5 …………
Red sacrificed another chariot to set up the Throat Cutting Checkmate.
16. ………… A4+5 17. C2+7
Checkmate! A combination of the Heaven and Earth Cannons led to the final checkmate. Diagram 1..2d.
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| Diagram 1.2d |
If you would like to buy the full version of "The XiangQi Master From The Cave", please visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HQIVENU
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Puzzle of the day - from Dreams of Divine Positions
The xiangqi puzzle below is from Jim Png's new eBook - Becoming a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Assassin Volume 1. With Jim's permission, I would like to share with you some of the interesting puzzle. Please try your best to solve the puzzle. You can compare your solution with the answer placed at the bottom of the page.
If you would like to learn more about this eBook or challenge yourself for more xiangqi puzzles, just visit www.xqinenglish.com.
Enjoy and have fun!
Red would be the first to move.
Answer:
The explanation below are taken from eBook: Becoming a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Assassin Volume 1, written by Jim Png.
This position was also found in the ancient manual, "Dreams of Divine Positions".
As in other endgame compositions, Black is one move away from a checkmate with R1+7. Red's pieces seem scattered and it would seem that Red would have many choices to start his attack. So...how should Red attack?
1. P6+1 ……
Correct move. C2=5 and R2=9 would result in defeat for Red.
Variation A: C2=5
1a. C2=5 A5+6 2a. P6+1 ……
If Red tried to attack with P6=5, 2ai. P6=5 K5+1 3ai. +R+1 K5+1 …
Black would be on the winning end as the Black king would now be safe on the cannon rank.
2a. …… K5+1 3a. +R+1 K5+1 And Black's king would be safe and it would be Black's turn to win the game.
Variation B: R2=9
Red had tried to negate Black's checkmate threat by capturing the menacing chariot, while at the same time be threatening with a checkmate C2+3.
However, this would demonstrate an inability to appreciate a potential kill by Black.
1b. …… P5=4 2b. R6=5 R9=5 3b. R5=4 H9+7 Checkmate. Black would win with the horse.
1. …… A5-4 2. +R=5 ……
Another brilliant sacrifice by Red! This would be the key of this puzzle.
Black cannot move either advisor, or there would be a smothered checkmate with the relevant cannon. The Black king would now be unable to move to the cannon rank as it would be occupied by the Black chariot.
2. …… R1=5 3. C2+3 ……
The order of playing Red's third and fourth ply may be changed. If Black responded with K5+1, Red would simply mate with R2+8.
3. …… A6+5 4. C7+3 Checkmate.
The character of “自”- Since - Game #1
The character of “自”- Since
Introduction
Hundreds of years ago, the Screen Horse Defense was not as developed as modern day. The Same Direction Cannons or Opposite Direction Cannons were the main counters used, whereby Black fought fire with fire. In The XiangQi Master From The Cave, the first five games dealt with the Same Direction Cannons Ranked Chariot vs Filed Chariot.
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