Victories All The Way Game 3

On the 24th of August, Victories All The Way's Game No.2 was posted.

Today we are posting Game No.3 :


自出洞来无敌手

自字 列手炮（共五局）
    第三局

 1. 炮八平五  炮２平５    2. 马八进七  马２进３
 3. 车九进一  车１平２    4. 车九平四  士６进５
 5. 车四进七  马８进９    6. 兵三进一  车２进６
 7. 马二进三  车２平３    8. 马三进四  卒３进１
 9. 马四进三  炮８平６   10. 马三进五  象３进５
11. 炮二进五  马３进４   12. 炮五进四  车３进１
13. 炮五平七  车３平６   14. 炮二平五  士５进４
15. 炮七进三

 1. C8=5        C2=5
 2. N8+7        N2+3
 3. R9+1        R1=2
 4. R9=4        G6+5
 5. R4+7        N8+9
 6. P3+1        R2+6
 7. N2+3        R2=3
 8. N3+4        P3+1
 9. N4+3        C8=6
10. N3+5

Notes & Interpretations

The opening formation of the game is the same as in Game No.1. Here the Knight captures the Central Cannon, in preparation for the Rook to play its part in shutting off the "Elephant's eyes" (a term used popularly to describe the link/communication line between the pair of Bishops).

10. ...         B3+5
11. C2+5        N3+4
12. C5+4 !      R3+1
13. C5=7

Notes & Interpretations

By attacking the Rook, Red's Cannon reveals all the splendour of its inherent power. Now the two Cannons have taken a tight grip of the situation, threatening to give mate in all directions.

13. ...         R3=6
14. C2=5        G5+4
15. C7+3        Mate

Notes & Interpretations

Had Black tried 14. ... N4-5, then 15. C7+3 wins by a "Palace Suffocation" mate.

Views & Impressions

Red's two Cannons give a fine and powerful demonstrations of attacking play, along the North-South axis and the East-West axis. Once again, Black's Rook and Knight in the left flank are unable to come into play. For an alternative final blow against Black's King, 15. C7=5 is as good as 15. C7+3.