Thursday, June 30, 2016

eBook: The XiangQi Master From The Cave FREE Edition is available for download


Now you can download and view The XiangQi Master From The Cave Free Edition before you purchase the full version.

There are 3 versions, which allowed you to read the eBook in difference device.


The XiangQi Master From The Cave Free Edition (PDF Format)



eBook: Becoming A Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Assassin Volume 1







Start your journey on becoming a Xiangqi Assassin!

A new eBook written by Jim Png, webmaster of www.xqinenglish.com, already published and available at Amazon.com worldwide. A good foundation eBook for Xiangqi Lovers.
You can visit http://www.xqinenglish.com/publications.html for more information.

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

Puzzle of the day - an actual game from 2008 National A League Championships Matchup


Puzzle of the day - an actual game


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: GM Wan Chunlin from Shanghai.
Black: Master Xu Bo from Anhui.
Red's turn.
Event: 2008 National A League Championships Matchup.











Answer:
The explanation below are taken from eBook: Becoming a Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Assassin Volume 1, written by Jim Png.

Red: GM Wan Chunlin from Shanghai.
Black: Master Xu Bo from Anhui.
Red's turn.
Event: 2008 National A League Championships Matchup.
Some moves were added as Black resigned.  

  1. R8=6  K4=5  2. R6+3!  K5=6  3. P4=3  R5=7  4. R6=4  K6=5
  5. R4=5  K5=6

K5=4 would not save the day for Black.

  5a. ........  K5=4  6a. E5+3  K4-1  7a. P3=4  R7=6  8a. P4=5  K4+1  9a. R5=6  Checkmate.

  6. E5+3  ……

And Red would win with R5=4 on the next move!

  6. ……  P8+1  7. R5=4.  Checkmate.

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.

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.

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.

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.


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 “”- 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.


Monday, June 27, 2016

A black and white xiangqi board for CCBridge

A black and white xiangqi board designed by me for CCBridge application.

BWXQBoard
Black and White Xiangqi Board