Why push the central soldier early?

It opens a lane for the horse to the centre and supports a later 兵五进一 break toward the enemy general.

Central Horse (Pan Tou Ma)

炮二平五，兵五进一，马二进三

A Central Cannon attacking system where Red advances the central soldier and develops a horse to the centre, aiming for a direct kingside assault.

Central Horse builds a powerful central pawn front. It suits players who like forcing, attacking lines.

Black answers 马8进7 + 马2进3.

Black answers 炮2平3 to disrupt the centre.

Why push the central soldier early?: It opens a lane for the horse to the centre and supports a later 兵五进一 break toward the enemy general.

Central Cannon 炮二平五 Identical Cannons (Shun Pao) 炮二平五，炮8平5 Cross Cannons (Lie Pao) 炮二平五，炮2平5 Cross Palace Cannon (Guo Gong Pao) 炮二平六