Basic Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Midgame Tactics 04 Maneuvering Material
Author: Jim Png from XqInEnglish
This article is the fourth article in a series of articles introducing the basic tactics used in Xiangqi (Chinese Chess). In this article, the author will focus solely on introducing the tactics used when maneuvering material.
The article will be divided into the following sections:
Some Background Theory
Maneuvering material is NOT taking a piece from one intersection and then placing it at another intersection. Instead, it refers to the deployment of the forces for the purpose of attack or defense.
When a material is maneuvered for an attack, it will usually mean moving the pieces in a coordinated manner for an attack to materialize. Usually, this is done by concentrating material on the center of the board or on the flanks where the enemy is weak.
The opposite is true when a material is maneuvered for defense. It usually involves strengthening a weak sector or region on the board so that the defense is strong enough to deal with the enemy's attack.
Master Huang Shaolong summarized it best when he said that maneuvering material was the act of moving the pieces to a strategic location to command the important lines. If this were successful, the enemy would be threatened, resulting in an advantageous situation. (1 页 143)
What are the goals that can be achieved with the correct maneuvering of the material? The late arbiter Zhu Baowei listed the following three goals: (2 頁 134)
l Maneuvering for the initiative,
l Maneuvering to gain a winning situation, and
l Maneuvering for the kill.
Sometimes, the boundaries between the goals as mentioned above may not be clear-cut.
In his book, Grandmaster Liu Dianzhong mentioned that the most crucial aspect to consider when maneuvering material is THE DIRECTION OF WHERE THE PIECES SHOULD GO. The strategy of the game decides the direction. If the situation is read correctly and the appropriate strategy is chosen, maneuvering the pieces will lead to fruitful gains. Indeed, the Grandmaster said that the ability to maneuver material could gauge a player's strength. (3 頁 71)
Three examples are given below to explain the concepts that are presented here.
Example 01
The first thing to do is to read the situation correctly. The following example is from Grandmaster Liu Dianzhong's book. (3)
Diagram 1 Example of reading the situation correctly before maneuvering material
It is Red's turn to move.
A quick analysis of the situation will show that Red has 2 Chariots, 1 Cannon, 4 Pawns, and a Single Elephant Guard (2a1e).
Black has 2 Chariots, 1 Cannon, 4 Pawns, and a Full Guard.
Red has a Central Cannon threatening the Black King, which is protected by a Pawn. The Red Chariots are open and control vital lines.
Black's Chariots, on the other hand, are relatively closed. The Black Horse will be an issue as it will take Black some effort to develop it from its current position.
There is no immediate kill for both colors, as can be seen. Although the Central Cannon is threatening the Black King, an Iron Bolt Checkmate is out of the question at the moment. Black's defense can handle any such possibility.
However, one glaring weakness in Black's position is his right flank which is virtually void of defensive material. The Red Chariots are already in place and prepared to attack.
Therefore, at this point, the best option for Red is to maneuver his Cannon C5=8, where he will go for a flank attack. This move was indeed the recommended move by the Grandmaster for this situation.
The move recommended by the Xiangqi computer program on the Webmaster's computer is also the same. Indeed, after playing C5=8, it was suggested that Black sacrifice his Chariot to capture the Red Cannon!
This example demonstrates the importance of reading the situation correctly, identifying the weaknesses in the enemy's formation, and maneuvering the pieces correctly to attack.
Example 02
The following example from Zhu Baowei's book will demonstrate a similar concept. The Webmaster has added his analysis to the limited comments given by the late arbiter.
Diagram 2 Example given in Zhu Baowei's book
It is Red's turn to move.
A simple analysis of the situation will show that Red has 1 Chariot, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 2 Pawns, and a Full Guard.
Black has 1 Chariot, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 4 Pawns (including one that has crossed the river), and a Single Elephant Guard.
The Black Chariot is threatening to capture the Red Cannon, and Black has already advanced a Pawn across the river to protect his Cannon on Black's 2nd file.
Red has a Cannon at the corner of the board that is an immediate threat. Another possible threat that Red has will be the Horse on the riverbank which will only need one more move to become an immediate threat. The Red Chariot is relatively closed, though.
Black's main attack appears to be from the central file, but the Red Horse is protecting the Central Pawn at this point.
There does not seem to be any immediate threats of a checkmate for both colors.
As Black is about to capture the Red Cannon, what should Red do?
1. R8+1 R1=2 2. R8=2 C2=9
This move was given in the book.
Analysis by the computer programs has suggested that Black play R2-1 as a prophylactic measure and prepare to counter-sacrifice material later on. A possible line is: R2-1, R2+8 A5-6, R2-2 A6+5, H4+3 A5+6, R2+2 K5+1, R2-1 K5-1, H3+4 H9-7, H4-6 K5=6, R2+1 K6+1, C1-1 H7+8, R2-3. Red has the significant advantage
3. R2+8 A5-6 4. R2-1 A6+5 5. H4+2 …………
The Red Horse gallops into action. There is a saying in Xiangqi called 3子归边1局棋 (sān zǐ guī biān yījú qí) which means that if a player were able to concentrate material on one flank, it would mean that victory was in sight.
5. ………… R2+6
Black tries to trade material since his Black Cannon is under attack.
6. H2+3 …………
But Red chooses to sacrifice another piece and play H2+3. Red will now threaten to checkmate with R8+1 followed by R8=6 for the Angler Horse Checkmate.
This example will also demonstrate why it is so important to learn the basic kills so that possible checkmates can be identified quickly and the needed offense or defense can be administered as required.
6. ………… H9-7
Black needs to counter-sacrifice material to avoid the checkmate.
7. R2=3 A5+6
Black cannot capture the Red Cannon as the threat of the Angler Horse Checkmate has not been resolved. Red can still checkmate with R3+1 followed by R3=4.
8. R3+1 K5+1 9. C1-6 R2=3 10. H3-4
Red has a huge advantage.
Repeat analysis of the situation at this point will see that although Black has three extra Pawns, Red has a full guard. The Black pieces are in disarray, and there are many tactical combinations that Red can use to continue his assault.
Example 03
The position given here was from Master Huang Shaolong's book.
It is another brilliant example of maneuvering material to cement a considerable advantage.
It is Red's turn to move.
Diagram 3 Example 3
A quick analysis would see that it was the late opening phase.
Red has not lost any material, while Black is one Pawn down.
The Red Chariot is attacking the Black Horse, which is protected by the Cannon on the same rank. Black had advanced his Chariot too deeply into enemy territory and BOTH his Chariots were closed. The Black Chariot on Red's throat rank is especially vulnerable.
Neither color seems to have posed an immediate threat to kill.
Red has a Cannon on the riverbank, which is in the open and can be a threat.
At this point, Red has the advantage, but how can he increase this advantage to turn the situation into a winning one?
1. C8=3 …………
Using the Chariot-Cannon combination to attack the enemy Horse, especially when the Horse is in the same file as the Black Elephant, is a commonly used tactic. Red will now threaten to gain material.
Red's Riverbank Cannon becomes a much more significant threat after being maneuvered to the 3rd file.
1. ………… H7-9
In the book, Master Huang Shaolong gave H7-9.
Computer analysis of the situation has also come up with R1=2, R1+1, R3=4 et cetera, where Black will simply sacrifice the Horse and try to find compensation elsewhere. However, Red will have amassed a significant advantage.
2. C5=2! …………
Excellent move.
With C5=2, Red will threaten to capture the Black Chariot with C2-1 AND concentrate on the Black's left flank.
Red can also consider C5+4 to capture the Central Pawn, but the strength of that attack cannot be compared to C5=2.
For example: 2. C5+4 A4+5 3. R3+2
Black will be in trouble and lose material. A checkmate could also happen if he is not careful. Red will have a significant advantage.
However, this attack will not be as crisp or powerful as when Red plays C5=2, and it will take longer for Red to win.
2. ………… R3=2
Black moves his Chariot for fear of losing it.
Another variation was discussed in the book: C5=4.
It will appear that Black will resolve the threat of losing the Chariot as Black can play C4+6 should Red continue with C2-1. Black will also have the chance to fortify his defense by linking the Elephants with E3+5 or E7+5. However, Red will still have a significant advantage. A possible line is as follows.
2. ………… C5=4 3. R3+2 H9+7
Computer analysis has suggested that Black sacrifice the Horse and play R3=4 or C4+6 (to capture the Red Horse). Either way, Red will have a significant advantage.
4. C2-1 C4+6 5. R3-1 E3+5 6. C3+5 E5-7
7. C2=6 R3=4 8. R3=7
Red has the obvious advantage.
Computer analysis has also come up with the same recommendations.
3. C2+6! …………
Another brilliant maneuver! Red focuses his attack on the Black Elephant and advances his Cannon to block the Horse from protecting the Black Elephant.
3. ………… A6+5
This move, given in the book, is questionable.
Computer analysis has suggested that Black sacrifice his Cannon with C5=7 to avert the impending checkmate. Nevertheless, Red will have a commanding advantage either way.
For the sake of discussion, we shall see how Red can deliver a checkmate.
4. C3+5 K5=6 5. R3+2 …………
Red takes his time and does not go for C2+1 immediately. Instead, he severs any possibility of K6+1 with this move.
5. ………… R2-4 6. C2+1
Checkmate.
From the above three examples, we can understand what was meant by Grandmaster Liu Dianzhong saying that the direction of the attack is the most critical aspect. If there was an incorrect interpretation of the situation, Red might have chosen to continue his attack from the central file in the first example. In the second example, Red might have decided to move his Cannon to safety in the second example instead of sacrificing it. In the third example, maneuvering the two Cannons correctly opened up many tactical options for Red to continue.
These two examples are also excellent material on understanding the concepts of maneuvering material to gain an initiative (first example) or a winning position (second example) and both (in the third example).
Maneuvering Material for the Pin for Defense
The pin is another powerful tactic that has been partly discussed in the earlier article on capturing material.
In essence, the pin can be considered another artful way of maneuvering material whereby enemy pieces will be limited in their scope and effects on the board.
A few examples of using the pin to capture material have been given in an earlier article on capturing material in the same series. In this article, maneuvering material to pin the enemy for defensive purposes is discussed.
The following example is from Grandmaster Liu Dianzhong's book. (3 页 74)
Diagram 4 Example of using the pin for defense
This example was from Grandmaster Liu Dianzhong's book. It is the perfect example of maneuvering material for the defense to force a draw.
It is Black's turn to move.
A quick analysis of the board will show that both colors have two Pawns left on the board.
One of the Black Pawns has crossed the river but cannot capture either of his counterparts.
Red's Pawn on the 9th file has an open line but has yet to cross the river.
The two opposing Pawns on Red's 1st file will mean that neither Pawn can cross the river. However, the Red Pawn on the 1st file does not have to worry about being captured, but the same thing cannot be said for the Black Pawn in the same file. If either Pawn were able to cross the river, it would mean victory.
The Red King has commanded the central file, while the Black King is limited to his 6th file.
For Red to win, he will need to advance his left Pawn across the river, capture the Black Pawn on the 9th file and then advance both Pawns for the kill.
Black can't orchestrate a checkmate as he has only one Pawn at his disposal. The challenge for Black in this situation is to force a draw. But how can Black do so?
1. ………… P7=6 2. P9+1 P6=5 3. P9+1 P5+1
Black must gain control of the central file and limit the Red King from assisting in the checkmate. Once the Black Pawn reaches this intersection, the Red King cannot advance.
In the meantime, it will still take the Red Pawn that had just crossed the river nine moves to capture the Black Pawn to win.
4. P9=8 K6=5 5. P8=7 P5+1
By maneuvering the Black King and Pawn, Black manages to advance the Black Pawn to the centroid of the board. The Red King will be immobilized at either corner on the bottom rank. The only Red piece that is mobile will be the Red Pawn still marching his way on the riverbank.
6. K5=4 …………
If Red plays K5=6, Black will counter with K5=4 for the pin later on.
6. ………… K5+1 7. P7=6 K5-1 8. P6=5 K5+
Diagram 5 Example of using the pin for defense 02
The Black King makes a series of idle moves waiting for this position to occur. Red is now placed in a dilemma. The Red King is cornered and immobile, and the only Red piece that can move is the Pawn.
9. P5=4 …………
Red continues with his original plans of traversing the board to capture the Black Pawn. It will still be a draw if Red advances his Pawn. A possible line is: 9. P5+1 K5-1
The Black King CANNOT move K5=4, or he will lose the chance to apply a pin, and Red will win. It is the ONLY viable move for Black to force a draw.
10. P5+1 …………
If the Red Pawn plays P5=4, the Black King will play K5=6 to pin the Red Pawn and King to the same file using the Royal Rule.
Red will be forced to advance his Pawn as it is the only viable move. P1+1 cannot be played as Black will capture the Red Pawn for the win.
10. ………… K5=4 11. P5+1 P5=4 12. K4+1. Draw.
Neither color can afford to allow the enemy Pawn on the edge file to cross the river. Both colors will use their Pawns to make idle moves, and it will be a draw as neither color can win.
9. ………… K5=6
The Black King applies a pin to the Red Pawn and King in the same file with help from the Royal Rule.
10. P4+1 K6-1
The Red Pawn simply CANNOT traverse to the 3rd file to capture the Black Pawn. Red can only advance the Pawn, but then the other Red Pawn cannot cross the river. Draw.
In this last example, Black could not have saved himself if he did not understand the situation and make the correct maneuvers.
Some reflections
The author used to think that maneuvering material was simply taking a piece and moving it to another place on the board when he was in school a few decades ago. Only when he played more and more than he learned that there was a distinction based on accurate analysis.
Later, when he started reading books did he have a better understanding. Hence, it is ok for not being to understand the initial concepts at first. Play more, analyze more and have fun.
Works Cited
1. 黄少龙. 象棋入门初步. 成都 : 成都时代出版社, 2009. 9787807055228.
2. 朱, 宝位. 棋牌入门丛书 象棋入门. 合肥 : s.n., 1994. 978-7-5337-0734-7.
3. 刘, 殿中. 象棋新编教程 象棋初学门径. 北京 : 北京体育大学出版社, 2000. 7-81051-484-9.
4. 王, 贵龙. 象棋名词术语手册. 呼和浩特 : 远方出版社, 2000. 7-80595-652-9.
