Horse Opening (Qi Ma Ju)
马二进三（或马八进七）
Red jumps a horse out first, delaying the cannon. A calm, flexible system favoured by players who like to build a solid position and steer the middlegame.
Strategic Ideas
Horse Opening avoids early confrontation and keeps many transpositions available. It often leads to a harmonious development where Red reacts to Black's setup.
Common Replies
FAQ
- Is Horse Opening passive?
- Not passive — it is flexible. By developing first, Red keeps the position balanced and chooses the battlefield later.