1 Round = (odd number + 1)/2 or (even number)/2
This is a really good game to understand the complexity of open-ended opening used by both outstanding players and importance of opening concepts.
[04R] Since Red is a horizontal 6-Rook and no longer protecting Red's right, could moving the Horse to line 4 a better choice? This will form a barrier to Black 8-rook, protect the 3-Soldier and 2-Artillery and most allow the Red Rook to create some havoc while ignoring Red's own right sector. The linked Red Artillery also provide a strong defence when needed to both sides.
[06R] Advancing the 7-Soldier to inconvenient the Black 3-horse might be another option making use of the overcrowding at Black right. If Red Rook can eat the 3-infantry, this 7-Soldier can also advances to add pressure to Black right.
[07R] Look like a opening error which allow black rook control the pawn line and extend control to both Red sectors. This results in success for the cross-palace artillery. Maybe can consider use the left Horse protect the 5-Soldier and then develop Red's left .
[09R] Once Black form the stable Fan-Gong-Ma formation, Red can consider to get ready to develop the slower left section.
[10R] My own choice would be to move the Horse to line-7 instead of line-9. This way I can linked the 2 Horse at line-5 if needed and can also be used faster to add pressure to Black right compared with the 9-Horse. Also because Red don't have 8-Rook to guard line-8. the Black 2-artillery basically has free movement which is risky for Red. One possible variation is
[10] 马8进7 车5平7 [11] 马3退1 炮2进4 [12] 炮7进1 车1进1 [13] 马7进6 炮2平5
[14] 士6进5 卒7进1 [15] 马6进5 马3进5 [16] 炮8进7 士5退4 [17] 车7平5
[17R] Can also consider 炮3进1 to trade and reduce pressure. One possible variation is
[17] 炮3进1 炮3平7 [18] 炮8平3 车2进9 [19] 马9退8
[20R] Another weaker variation also does not favour Red because of Black's threat to form a 5-artillery attack.
[20] 炮3退1 炮6平5 [21] 炮3平4 车8进5 [22] 马3进5 象3进5 [23] 炮8进6 马7进6
[20B] Black can also consider focusing on the 5-artillery attack with 2 rook (2nd-hand Kill Move). One possible variation is
[20] 马3进1 车8退2 [21] 车6平7 炮6平5 [22] 炮3平4 车8+7 [23] 炮4退1 车7平6
[24] 马1进3 车6退5
Red's fighting spirit (especially the Red 3-Horse) till the end is something all of us should emulate. Any mental or move weakness by Black in such case will mean a Red Victory or Draw.
A closely fought game till the end. Worthy of its Table 01 status.
---kurubear
Huasing Association 1999 - 2013