XiangQi basic openings

This is mostly a reminder for me who I'm learning the game.

There is a tournament on xiangqi.com this saturday

Opening database statistics: http://www.01xq.com/xqopening/xqolist.asp 

Engine opener (illegal during games!): https://www.chessdb.cn/query_en/ 

http://www.xichess.com/ 

Yes I know. I'd like to play but I'm almost sure to lose all games. If there are others weak like me then maybe I will play.

I'm not that good at xiangqi but learning, I'd love to play a game or two if you're interested

@CKirchhoff, Here we cannot play, come to xiangqi.com please. My nickname there is TheBishop.

They didn't invite me to tournament btw, so I couldn't have participated. Last Saturday I got invited but I couldn't play ...  

I'll try to summarize the openings in the video with fixed images.

Central Cannon

 -- Same direction Cannon --

Most common development, moves 1 - 3 - 5:

Then probably Red pushes also the second soldier (on file 3) and Black moves the Chariot forward, to his own side of the river.

Opposite direction Cannon

Common result, moves 2 - 4 - 6a - 6b (two options)

-- Red can exchange the Chariots (6a):

-- Red can capture the Black's soldier (6b):

Then Red pushes the soldier to E3.

Screen Horse

A complex defence by Black, moves 1 - 3:

Well again, Red usually pushes second or fourth soldier, then there are many variations.

Opposite direction Horse

Tricky defence, moves 1 - 3 - 4 the trap:

Then Red continues his development being careful not to move the other Horse toward the center. Avoid this:

this is a trap! Black's Cannon attack wins a piece.

You are so similar to Konrad... Are you brothers ?

There is the budget version of xiangqi on chess.com
https://www.chess.com/variants/custom/game/27286065

Yes, the attacking pieces (grasshopper-cannon, sideway soldiers) are more like janggi, but the defending pieces (elephants, advisors) and the general are more like xiangqi.

Jest tam pałac