A one million $$ (RMB) game! GM Xie Jing loses to GM Zheng Weitong

A one million $$ (RMB) game!

The winner get RMB 1,000,000.00

GM Xie Jing loses to GM Zheng Weitong
2016 1st World King of Xiangqi Tournament
2016-10-16

Annonated by:
Wong Ping Loong @ http://xiangqielephantgame.blogspot.my

 1. C2=5  H8+7    2. H2+3  R9=8
  3. R1=2  H2+3

Both players reach Central Cannon vs Screen Horses Defense Opening.

  4. H8+9  …………

In normal situation, Red would select P3+1 or P7+1, now Red plays H8+9 for edge is comparative rare.

  4. …………  P3+1


Black as Screening Horse side anyhow need to chose to play P3+1 or P7+1.Normally Black would select P7+1 because this also could prevent Red to develop his right horse easier.
However, Black play H3+1 mostly he would like to enter into 57 Cannon with 3rd file pawn opening variation.

  5. R2+6  E3+5    6. C8=7  H3+2

Of course Black would play H2+3 to prevent Red R9=8.

  7. R9+1  …………

Therefore Red chooses ranked chariot.

  7. …………  A4+5    8. R9=6  P7+1


Since Red did not develop his pawn, Black chose to P7+1 for double heads snake pawn variation.

  9. R6+5  H2+1   10. C7=6  …………

Based on real game, a better move would have been C7-1.


 10. …………  P3+1   11. C6+1  …………

Red choose to attack Black's horse with cannon, however this also caused Red's right horse unprotected,


 11. …………  H1+3   12. P7+1  P7+1

Excellent move.Black has gained initiative because of this move.

 13. R2=3  …………

If Red played P3+1, Black would H7+6 to fork both chariots.

 13. …………  C8-1   14. R3-2  C8=7
 15. R3=4  R8+8

A good move!

 16. C5=6  …………

Red is preparing for E3+5.

 16. …………  H7+8   17. R4=3  …………


Based on real game, Red should R4-2.

 17. …………  E5+7

An excellent move!

 18. R3=4  …………


If Red R3+1, Black would play C2=7 for material gain.

 18. …………  E7-9   19. R4-2  H3+1


This is one million $$$ worth move!
An excellent move for long plan!

 20. C6=9  R1=3

If Black R1=2, Red could R6=8.

 21. E3+5  C7+2

This is a continuation move after H3+1 previously.
Black forces Red's chariot back to home-based,and not allowed Red to play R6=8 to capture Black's cannon,.

 22. R6-2  …………

If Red R6=5, Red would C7+4. If Red followed with R4=3, Black could H8+6 to capture both chariots same time.

 22. …………  H1+3

Excellent move. Black sacrificed his horse as planned.

 23. E5-7  C2+5

As planned!

 24. E7+5  …………


As seen, with single cannon, Black is pinned Red's chariot, horse and cannon!

 24. …………  R3=2

Black R3=2 is on time.

 25. P7+1  R2+6   26. C9+1  R8-1

Black sure could gain back a piece!

 27. C9=8  …………

Red would like to simplify the situation by applying exchange piece strategy.

 27. …………  R2=5   28. R4+7  A5-6
 29. H3+5  R8=5   30. A4+5  R5-1

Finally, Black had gained back a piece.Also, Red has lost his two elephants too.

 31. R6=2  H8-7   32. R2+3  C2=3

Black is killing.

 33. H9-7  C7=6

Black is ready to sacrifice his horse again.

 34. R2=3  C6+5   35. C8=7  C3-3
 36. H7+6  …………

Red is forced to give back his horse.
If Red played H7+9, Black could C3=5 for discovering check.

 36. …………  R5=4   37. R3=4  C6-2
 38. K5=4  R4=5   39. C6=2  A6+5
 40. R4-1  E7+5   41. C2+7  K5=4
 42. C7=2  …………

Red had give-up to defense, Red is planning to launch attack!

 42. …………  C6=9   43. P3+1  R5=7
 44. C2+4  …………

Red is planning for R4+3!

 44. …………  A5+6   45. R4=5  …………

If Red R4+1, Black could R7+2 follow by C9=1 for checkmate.

 45. …………  R7-1   46. A5+6  C3-3
 47. -C=4  …………

If Black played R5+1,

47. R5+1  R7=6   
48. K4=5  C3=5
49. R5=6  K4=5   
50. K5+1  R6=5
51. K5=6  C9+2   
52. +C=1  C5=7

Black wins.


 47. …………  R7-4

Black also need to defense.

 48. R5=6  K4=5   49. C4=6  C9=2
 50. R6=8  R7=4

Simplify the board situation.

 51. R8+3  K5+1   52. R8-6  R4+6
 53. A6+5  R4=8

Red resigns. Black wins.