Xiangqi Opening Principles

XIANGQI OPENING FORMS AND FIGHTING PRINCIPLES

The opening classic by International Grandmaster Yan Wenqing and Grandmaster Zhang Qiang. 196 standard forms across every family of openings, 1,297 side lines, 3,487 notes in Chinese, English and Vietnamese, a hands-on Learn mode and a neural network engine. Offline.

A BOOK MOVE IS NOT ENOUGH

Four times in this book the authors admit a move is in the manuals, then tell you not to play it: 虽属谱着之列，但棋形滞重缺乏活力，不足效法. Though it is a book move, the shape is heavy and lifeless, not worth copying.

A 定式, a standard form, can be memorised. A 战理, a fighting principle, is why the form works, and why a printed move can still be wrong. The title promises both.

THE WEN-QIANG SET

Chinese players call this trilogy 文强三件套, after its two authors. This is the foundation volume: forms first, then traps, then dubious formations. First published in 1999, reprinted through the 2000s, reissued in a revised edition in 2017. Readers on Douban rate it 9.7 out of 10: 最权威的象棋开局书, the most authoritative xiangqi opening book. World champions You Yingqin and Tang Dan, one trained by each author, endorsed it.

THE AUTHORS

Yan Wenqing of Hebei, International Grandmaster, team gold and individual silver at the 1999 World Championship. Zhang Qiang of Beijing, head coach of the Beijing team from 1995, Grandmaster since 2012. Their 1999 author note called them 当代新潮理论派的杰出代表, leaders of the new-wave theoretical school.

The preface states the case: 业余棋手与专业运动员的差距主要在布局. The gap between amateur and professional lies mainly in the opening.

THE WHOLE MAP

Seven parts, 41 chapters, games 1 to 196 with none missing:

• Same-Direction Cannons, 20 games


• Central Cannon vs Screen Horses, 58 games


• Central Cannon vs Three-Step Tiger and Opposite-Direction Cannons, 21


• Central Cannon vs Reversed Palace Horses, 31


• Immortal Points the Way, 32


• Elephant Opening, 20


• Cannon Across the Palace, Advisor's Corner Cannon, Horse Opening, 14

All five ECCO volumes, 116 different opening codes: nearly half the system, from one book.

HOW EACH GAME WORKS

A short essay says what the form is, who it suits and which move holds it together. The main line reaches the book's diagram, then splits into variations (甲), (乙) and sometimes (丙), each played to a verdict. The side lines hold 9,926 half moves, nearly twice the 5,458 on the main lines.

THE PRINCIPLES

The authors quote Sun Tzu, 先为不可胜，以待敌之可胜, first make yourself unbeatable, and call it the modern view of the opening. They warn 差之毫厘，失以千里. They trace how openings die and come back: 布局的演变大多是此起彼伏. And in 3,487 notes they never name a single player. The reason is always on the board.

COUNTED FROM THE DATABASE

• 196 games, all from the opening array.


• 15,384 half moves, 1,297 side lines.


• 3,487 notes, including 196 opening essays, every one in three languages.


• 主动 the initiative in 266 notes, 先手 in 220, 均势 level in 109.

HOW YOU STUDY IT

• Replay. Step through every main line and side line.


• Learn. Nothing moves by itself. Play both sides by hand, with optional arrows. Jump straight back to the branch point.


• Go off book. Try your own move, explore, then return.


• Ask the engine. Full-strength NNUE from any position, on your device.

SETTINGS

• English, Vietnamese or Chinese across all titles and notes.


• Thirteen board sizes and thirty five board themes.


• Six study-board themes, five highlight colours, five board fonts, light or dark.

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