Buzz
Mastering the opening phase in Chinese Chess is crucial as it dictates your gameplay and strategies. A solid opening can provide a considerable edge. For enthusiasts of Chinese Chess and various Chinese Chess games, paying attention to this initial step is imperative.
To excel in Chinese Chess, players constantly search for winning strategies. While there's no guarantee of continuous victories, dedicated practice and understanding of moves, opponent's predictions, and board situations are essential for success. Explore these 10 opening strategies in Chinese Chess to apply unexpected moves and pressure your opponents effectively.
10 Opening Strategies in Chinese Chess:
If you haven't downloaded the Chinese Chess game yet, you can do so here: Download Chinese Chess
1. Knight's Attack
One of the best opening strategies in Chinese Chess is the Knight's Attack, where two Knights advance towards the center with a Cannon positioned in front. The Cannon supports the Knights, the Advisor supports the Cannon, and the Rook supports the other Knight. This formation is flexible, dynamic, engages in direct combat, and fiercely contests the center, allowing for swift changes in position, mutual support among pieces, solid defense, rapid counterattacks, ambushes, capturing enemy pieces, and unexpected tactical strikes.
2. Shielding Knights
Two Knights are positioned to guard the central pawns, forming a solid defensive line. Shielding Knights are considered the most effective defense against the Central Cannon and are commonly used by top players in international competitions.
3. Coordinated Cannon
When the opponent initiates the Central Cannon, players respond by moving their own Cannon to the center, known as 'coordinated cannon' or 'cannon coordination.' Instead of advancing the Knights to guard the central pawns, the player brings the Cannon to the center, tempting the opponent to capture the central pawn with their Cannon. If the opponent captures the central pawn, they violate the principle of 'not launching an isolated attack without deploying all pieces,' resulting in a loss of tempo and slow mobilization. The player gains an advantage by advancing the Knight to chase the Cannon, deploying troops more rapidly, contesting the center, counterattacking, and regaining tempo.
4. Counter Cannon
When both sides initiate the Cannon, but in opposite directions, it's called 'counter cannon' or 'cannon counter.' Counter Cannon is a commonly used opening. However, in counter cannon situations, the early game is often fierce, with draws being rare.
5. Pawn-Selling Counter Cannon
Pawn-Selling Counter Cannon, a highly intelligent opening in Chinese Chess. Instead of immediately countering with Cannon, the player advances the Knight to guard the central Pawn, then brings the Cannon across the river to pressure the opponent's Rook, before finally deploying the other Cannon to the center. This setup is known as 'Pawn-Selling Counter Cannon.' This modern Counter Cannon formation is slightly more stable than the traditional Counter Cannon, but still involves intense positional play, exchanges, and aggressive attacks.
6. Cannon Guard
The Cannon Guard setup involves using the Cannon to guard the central Pawn. This opening is a common chess opening, but it is rarely used by skilled players. There are two types: Left Guard Cannon and Right Guard Cannon.
7. Ambush Cannon
The Ambush Cannon is a folk chess opening, typically used by beginners or those with little experience. Skilled players at the national and international levels rarely employ this opening. It involves moving the Cannon down to guard the Rook, then lurking in that rank, effectively threatening the opponent's Rook.
8. Celestial Cannon
The Celestial Cannon opening is also a rustic and uncommon opening, rarely seen in major tournaments.
The Celestial Cannon setup is similar to the Ambush Cannon, but with the Queen advancing the Chariot to rank 4 or 6 before bringing down the Cannon.
9. Far-reaching Formation
Far-reaching Formation is a decisive chess position used to end games quickly, but it's also a risky opening strategy, rarely resulting in a draw. It's a type of opening where the side playing Black willingly sacrifices the Knight on the first move, then takes advantage of the opportunity to capture the Cannon to gain the initiative and possess two pawns. It involves aggressive and proactive tactics. Therefore, this opening strategy is seldom seen in actual play, existing mostly in theory, chess literature, online resources, and exhibition matches, rarely in serious chess competitions.
10. Unified Cannons
Unified Cannons is a setup where both Cannon pieces are deployed on one side of the board. Also known as 'Tibetan Rights,' it's a traditional opening of the Tibetan people, commonly played in the mysterious land of Tibet. Its distinctive feature from other openings is that it doesn't bring out the Chariot to guard the Cannons. Instead, it advances the Chariot two steps to support the Cannons, aiming to later capture the opposing Cannon with one of its own, then maneuvering both Cannons to one side, defensively and offensively, while preventing the opposing Chariot from advancing.
Here are 10 opening strategies for you to learn from, and players should master at least one opening to facilitate strategic deployment.
Alongside, delving into the secrets of becoming a master of Chinese Chess to deploy various board positions and strategies more effectively. The secrets to becoming a Chinese Chess master require time for refinement and practice to achieve mastery. This is a game of intellect, requiring patience, so one cannot rush. Make sure to practice Chinese Chess regularly.
