Screen Horses
马8进7，马2进3
The classic, rock-solid reply to Central Cannon. Black develops both horses close to the palace, forming a "screen" that defends the centre and prepares flank counterattacks.
Strategic Ideas
Screen Horses trades early aggression for long-term structure. It is flexible: Black can later choose Counter-Cannon, Left River Cannon, or a slow build-up. The most theoretically deep system in Xiangqi.
Common Replies
FAQ
- Is Screen Horses only a defence?
- Primarily a defence to Central Cannon, but it also stands alone as a balanced, counterattacking setup that many top players prefer.
- Why "screen"?
- The two horses sit side by side like a folding screen in front of the general, guarding the centre files.