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Xiangqi Opening Strategy - Help!

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us01...@interramp.com

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Nov 6, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/6/95
to rec.games.chinese-chess
I am wondering if anyone knows of a good source of information in either English
or Chinese about the "OPENINGS" THEORY IN XIANGQI". I am an American who is new
to Xiangqi, but very enthusiastic about this fascinating game. My wife is from
Taiwan, and I learned to play xiangqi on a recent visit to my inlaws in Taichung.
We got back to the states and started playing at once, but we don't have much
literature on STRATEGY and our worst problem is trying to figure out what to
do in the opening stage of the game. I saw a list of standard Xiangqi openings
recently, such as Central Cannon, 5-6 Cannon, Three-Step Tiger, etc., but no
substantial information was provided. DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A BOOK OR BOOKS AVAILABLE
IN THE US OR TAIWAN (preferably the US, but either in English OR Chinese) which
would help? The only English book I currently have is the one by H.T. Lau, but it
is not very detailed. My wife has a couple of Chinese books, but again they really
only scratch the surface of the this incredibly rich and subtle game. Any ideas on
this would be most appreciated. Also, can anyone recommend an EASY software program
which a beginner can actually win against? I bought the "Uncle Wang's Chinese Chess
Program", but this is very hard!!! Neither my wife nor I can beat it. I heard Battle
Chess II might be easier? Thanks again. PAUL.

us01...@interramp.com

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Nov 6, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/6/95
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us01...@interramp.com

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Nov 6, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/6/95
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us01...@interramp.com

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Nov 6, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/6/95
to Xiangqi, Opening, Strategy, -, Help!

us01...@interramp.com

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Nov 6, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/6/95
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us01...@interramp.com

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Nov 6, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/6/95
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HERO 77

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Nov 7, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/7/95
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YOU ALL SHOULD LEARN FROM THE TOURNAMENT PLAY USED BY GRAND MASTERS AND
MASTERS ON THE XIANGQI HOME PAGE ON THE INTERNET!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS HOW I
LEARNED AND I FOUND IT THE SAME AS READING A BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REMEMBER
10% INSPIRATION 90% PERSPIRATION (ESPECIALLY IN WUSHU!!!)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DON'T WORRY, WITH ENOUGH PRACTICE AND GOING OVER THE TOURNAMENT GAMES,
IT'LL ALL FALL
TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE XIANGQI HOME PAGE IS
http://www.io.org/~sung/xq/xq.html!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HERO 77

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Nov 7, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/7/95
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By the way, Paul where did you get "Uncle Wang's"?
Thanks,
The Hero

lr...@vaxc.stevens-tech.edu

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Nov 13, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/13/95
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>
> I have the english-language "Comprehensive Collection of Practical
> Chinese Chess Endgames", and I am deeply impressed by the style of the
> nuggets of wisdom about each position -- that is, the basic idea of the
> position is extracted and put into a few words (Keep the Guard on the right).


Is this book available for purchase anywhere? I'd love to own a copy!!
.
.
.
.
.
.


Roleigh Martin

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Nov 14, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/14/95
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>> I have the english-language "Comprehensive Collection of Practical
>> Chinese Chess Endgames", and I am deeply impressed by the style of the

Is this book available for purchase anywhere? I'd love to own a copy!!
Ditto. Me too!


Ralph Betza

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Nov 14, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/14/95
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lr...@vaxc.stevens-tech.edu wrote:
: >
: > I have the english-language "Comprehensive Collection of Practical
: > Chinese Chess Endgames", and I am deeply impressed by the style of the
: > nuggets of wisdom about each position -- that is, the basic idea of the
: > position is extracted and put into a few words (Keep the Guard on the right).


: Is this book available for purchase anywhere? I'd love to own a copy!!

Actually, your quoting is off; *I* own the book and mentioned it.
Unfortunately, I can never get the title quite right unless I have the
book right in front of me.

The book is largely a volunteer effort, I think; subscriptions from
hongkong xq associations and restaurants helped get it published. Or so
it appears.

The author's name and mailing address and phone number are right there in
the book, same is true of the translator and printer.

I don't have it here right now. I'll respond to my own post tomorrow, and
include all of that info.


us01...@interramp.com

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Nov 16, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/16/95
to sa...@newshost.li.net
Hi Again: Thanks very much to all who answered my post about this subject. I liked
the suggestions of playing through master level games found on Peter Sung's Xiangqi
homepage the best...I didn't even stop to think that this is a very good approach!
That way, you not only find out what the most current openings are by top level
players, but you see how they evolve into middle and end-game postions as well.
Everyone has been asking about software on this board. I mentioned that I already
have Uncle Wang and a few other folks said that they also did. I now want to get
Battle Chess II because I'm new to the game and BC II is said to be a relatively
easy program against which a beginner such as myself might have a "fighting chance".
A GREAT SOURCE FOR MANY SOFTWARE PROGRAMS AND BOOKS ON XIANGQI, MAH JONG, AND "GO"
IS:

YUTOPIAN ENTERPRISES
4964 ADAGIO COURT
FREMONT, CA 94538
phone: (510) 659-0138
fax: (510) 770-8913

They sell programs such as Uncle Wang (moderately strong, about $28), Battle Chess
II (price unknown, purportedly fairly easy), and Chinese Chess Master III (the
alledged STRONGEST Xiangqi program commercially available, about $45). They also
sell four or five English Xiangqi books, though as I've said I'm having a bit of
trouble finding detailed, systematic info. on the opening phase of the game.
Yutopian Enterprises is a very good mail order company and I highly recommend them.
One note of caution: Unless you specify otherwise they will ship your order FOURTH
CLASS MAIL, which takes a LONG time. Therefore I suggest you pay them an extra 2 or
3 bucks for PRIORITY SHIPPING. They will happily oblige and then you'll receive your
order in a few days. Major credit cards are accepted over the phone if you already
know what you want, or you can write or call them for a catalog. PAUL


us01...@interramp.com

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Nov 16, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/16/95
to r...@uhc.com
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Newsgroup: rec.games.chinese-chess
>
> * $$CASH FAST$$ - John Brechin (130)
> o Christopher Downing (6)
> + Rob Underwood (21)
> * which xq program is the strongest? - Scorpion (2)
> * mahjong rules - Stefania Usai (7)
> * Re: Xiangqi Opening Strategy - Help! - Ralph Betza (13)
> o lr...@vaxc.stevens-tech.edu (15)
> + Roleigh Martin (6)
> + Ralph Betza (24)
> * How to access ICCS (Chinese Chess)
> o Hoang Anh Huy (6)
> o Quynh Le (5)
> * 7th Asian Xiangqi Masters Championship - Felix Tan (53)
> * 7th AXMC Game #1 - Felix Tan (113)
> o Felix Tan (17)
> o Xue-Song LI (19)
> + Felix Tan (14)
> * 7th AXMC Game #2 - Felix Tan (124)
> * 7th AXMC Game #4 - Felix Tan (107)
> * 7th AXMC Game #3 - Felix Tan (90)
> * Results of the 7th AXMC - Felix Tan (60)
> * 7th AXMC Game #5 - Felix Tan (152)
> * 7th AXMC Game #6 - Felix Tan (112)
> * Chinese Chess computers - tl...@vms1.gmu.edu (3)
> * Is there a ch chess prog to play on inet? - Scorpion (4)
> o Roleigh Martin (13)
> * 7th AXMC Game #7 - Felix Tan (119)
> * 3 great new web pages on Chinese Chess! - Roleigh Martin (22)
> * 7th AXMC Game #8 - Felix Tan (119)
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------

us01...@interramp.com

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Nov 16, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/16/95
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us01...@interramp.com

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Nov 16, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/16/95
to lr...@vaxc.stevens-tech.edu

us01...@interramp.com

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Nov 16, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/16/95
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Ralph Betza

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Nov 17, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/17/95
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Ralph Betza (sa...@newshost.li.net) wrote:

: lr...@vaxc.stevens-tech.edu wrote:
: : >
: : > I have the english-language "Comprehensive Collection of Practical
: : > Chinese Chess Endgames", and I am deeply impressed by the style of the
: : > nuggets of wisdom about each position -- that is, the basic idea of the
: : > position is extracted and put into a few words (Keep the Guard on the right).


: : Is this book available for purchase anywhere? I'd love to own a copy!!

: Actually, your quoting is off; *I* own the book and mentioned it.

I doubt that the book is in print, but perhaps it is time to agitate for
a new printing, and a book about openings!

Title: _The Comprehensive Collections of Practical Chinese Chess
End-Stage Patterns_

Author and Publisher: Tin-Hung So
Home Address: 31, Shu Kuk Street
10th Floor
Room 1155
North Point
Hong Kong
Correspondence Address: 144, Lockhard Road
2d Floor
Wanchai
Hong Kong
Tel. 5-274710

Distributor: Chan Sheung Kee Bookstore
16, Heard Street
Wanchai
Hong Kong
Tel. 5-729031
5-753482
First Printing: October 1976

PLEASE NOTE: the phone numbers were published in a book that was
distributed for sale worldwide, so posting them should be okay; on the
other hand, they are 19 years old!

The back cover is an ad from a restaurant, but the inside ads are really
tokens of support from several organizations; if no luck with the above
addresses, try looking for the
== Kowloon Chinese Chess Association, HK
(Five presidents of this organization are represented!)
== San Francisco Chinese Chess assn of america
== Go Ming County Association

Ralph Betza

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Nov 17, 1995, 3:00:00 AM11/17/95
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You should be aware that you posted 5 copies of your article, and some of
the copies contained extraneous information.

Something is broken and needs to be fixed.


luisa.manr...@gmail.com

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Apr 11, 2015, 3:08:27 PM4/11/15
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The cyclone is the best commercial engine. Another is SAchess, if you play western chess good maybe you ll be good at xiangqi.
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