Central Cannon Opening (6 examples)
Most common defences to the Central Cannon are: the Screen Horse, the Cannon Sandwich and the Mirrored Cannon, as shown in the six illustrations below:
Black: Screen Horse
P7+1 Var
1. C2=5 H8+7
2. H2+3 R9=8
3. R1=2 H2+3
4. P7+1 P7+1
5. R2+6 C8=9
6. R2=3 C9–1
7. H8+7 A4+5
Red may continue with
(1) C8=9
(2) H7+6
Black: Screen Horse
P3+1 Var
1. C2=5 H8+7
2. H2+3 R9=8
3. R1=2 H2+3
4. P3+1 P3+1
5. H8+9 P1+1
Red may continue with
(1) C8=7
(2) C8+4
(3) C8=6
(4) R9+1
Speedy 57 Cannons
1. C2=5 H8+7
2. H2+3 R9=8
3. R1=2 H2+3
4. H8+9 P7+1
5. C8=7 R1=2
6. R9=8
Within 6 moves Red has developed all the attackers on both wings. Black may continue with:
(1) C2+4
(2) C8+4
(3) C2+2
Black: Cannon Sandwich
1. C2=5 H2+3
2. H2+3 C8=6
3. R1=2 H8+7
4. P3+1 P3+1
5. H8+9 E7+5
Black’s formation resembles the Screen Horse, with a Cannon placed at the Palace corner.
Red may continue with
(1) C8=7
(2) C8=6
(3) R9+1
Mirrored Cannons
Red Two-headed Snake (3rd and 7th Pawns outposts)
1. C2=5 C8=5
2. H2+3 H8+7
3. R1=2 R9+1
4. H8+7 R9=4
5. P3+1 H2+3
6. P7+1 R1+1
Red may continue with
(1)E7+9
(2)A6+5
(3)H3+4
Mirrored Cannons
Black: Left Chariot Delay
1. C2=5 C8=5
2. H2+3 H8+7
3. R1=2 P7+1
4. H8+7 H2+3
5. P7+1 R1+1
Red may continue with
(1) C8+1
(2) C8+2