IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF EPAMEINONDAS

The whole story has started during the long nights of the cold winter of 204 to 203 B.C. At the chilly banks of the River Mian-Man near Gaixia, the soldiers of Han were waiting for the arrival of spring. Then they wanted to thrust across the ford and attack the men of Chu on the opposite side where the enemy had dug in. In order to condition his troops, the General Han Xin, legendary commander-in-chief under the Prince of Han, invented the game of XiangQi (1).

The political situation in China at the time of birth of XiangQi: the battle at Gaixia where General Han Xin from Han has crushed the forces of Chu 2200 years ago. Since that land-mark decision every match of XiangQi is a replay en miniature of that heroic period of Chinese history

With stunning success: After the ice had melted, his men - their wits having been sharpened by the daily exercise of XiangQi - routed the army of Chu.

The historic front-line between Han and Chu ; that front-line is reflected by the Han-Chu-border, that is to say: THE RIVER , on every board of XiangQi

Since those early days many political and military leaders have learned to appreciate the logic of chess. Prominent figures, a gallery starting with the French Emperor Napoleon and to be continued with personalities such as Lenin, Ho Chi Minh, Deng Xiao Ping or Fidel Castro, have been or still are addicted to that unique game. It is not just accidental that strategic thinkers are fascinated by the eternal contest to checkmate the King. Chess is the perfect simulation of a real battle - a classification that is true for all the different variants of chess, name them Shatranj - as the Arabs have done so during their Golden Age - or Shogi in Japan; but it is true very much with regard to XiangQi of China, in particular.

The showdown at the symbolic river that is separating the territories of Red and Black - a reverence to the historic setting at the banks of the Mian-Man - is forming a mirror image to the run of things in the real world: The theory of XiangQi is similar to military strategy and tactics (2).

Chess match at the River of Destiny, the Huanghe: board of XiangQi in battle-field style (design by ShaolinChess, Germany; photo taken by: Christoph Harder)

The Oblique Battle Order has been executed for the first time by Epameinondas (see picture), famous general of Theben, during the endless wars of ancient Greece in the 4th century B.C., more than hundred years before the presumed invention of XiangQi. At that time the legendary army of the warrior state of Sparta seemed to be invincible. But the bloody day of Leuktra, in 371 B.C., has changed the course of world events, at least in ancient Europe of the Classic Age.

The intrepid Epameinondas, though even having been outnumbered by his formidable opponents - only 7.000 fighters from Theben tried to stop 10.000 Spartan Rambos -, devised a brilliant strategic move: He concentrated his forces on just one wing, the left flank, whilst daringly thinning out his units on the right wing.

So he managed to amass a partial superiority on the left flank - with the effect that there it was where the Theban assault could break through the enemy lines. The front of Sparta collapsed, Epameinondas outflanked his stunned adversaries and crushed their resistance.

Thanks to the military genius of Epameinondas, the battle of Leuktra has to be classified on the same level such as Cannae 216 B.C., Tannenberg in 1914 A.D., during the First World War, or the victory of Israel during the Seven-Days-War in 1967.

So, since Chess is the virtual reflex of real battle formations, so we can easily assume that we will observe that timeless stratagem of the Oblique Battle Order in our miniature theatre of operations on the board as well. And, no surprise: yes, indeed, there are many games that have been - and will be - decided by a deployment of forces that could have been orchestrated by the mastermind from Theben, General Epameinondas himself.

Restoration of the trophy that the Thebans have erected at Leuktra, after the battle in which they defeated the Spartans in 371 B.C.

We can even state that fact when we are examining one of the most ancient matches of Chess - applying the Arabian version of Shatranj - that have been recorded. It is the memorable encounter between two highly honoured Aliyats, the Grand Masters of the L'Age d'Or, The Golden Age of the Caliphate at Bagdad back in the 10th century (3).

Ancient Shatranj position

The match can be replayed on the web-site as follows:
http://www.chess-poster.com/english/notes_and_facts/oldest_chess_game.htm

White: the revered Aliyat Abu-Bakr Muhammed Ben Yahya as-Suli;
Black: the rising star Abu'l-Faraj bin al-Muzaffar bin Sa'-id al-Lajlaj.
Dynamic Elephants

Note: In Shatranj, the Pawns are only marching one square per move. Furthermore they can exclusively be promoted to become a Firzan. That piece - being positioned on d1 (White) and d8 (Black) respectively - is a relative of the XiangQi-Advisor because it is allowed only to march one square per move diagonally. Abbreviation therefore: "A*"; the Firzan of Shatranj has not been confined to some kind of "palace" but has been allowed to try his luck everywhere on the board.

On the four squares c1 and f1 (White) resp. c8 and f8 (Black) there are waiting the Elephants -Arabian name: Alfil - to join the action; that animal is moving diagonally but skipping one square. So that very unit can be compared to the Elephant of XiangQi; abbreviation therefore: "E*". But there is one big difference: Whereas the Chinese Chess-Elephant is blocked if one piece has occupied the first square diagonnally in that direction which the Elephant wants to take diagonnally, the Alfil of Shatranj is moving diagonally by skipping one square - even if the square that is located between the starting point of the Alfil and its aiming point is occupied by another piece. In the latter case we are allowed to admire a very funny trick of these Arabian Elephants: namely that they are bursting with energy - since they can, if they are choosing to do so, even hop into battle!

The Knights of "Shatranj" - abbr.: "N" - are moving the same way as Horses of XiangQi can do; but unlike their counterparts in Chinese Chess the Knights of Shatranj can not be blocked but they are jumping into battle,if necessary. The Rook of "Shatranj" - abbr.: "R" - is moving like the Chariot of XiangQi; "Kings" ("K") and "Pawns" ("P") are moving the same way as the corresponding pieces of Western Chess do so.

The first indication that both players have decided to attack on one wing - with the only difference to General Epameinondas: that they have chosen the right wing instead of the left wing. White is revealing his plan: the Oblique Battle Order on the right wing.



Tit for tat by the young Aliyat al-Lajlaj. Bad luck for him: by trying just to counter symmetrically he will be digging his own grave. Grand Master as-Suli does not neglect the center. Black is trying to follow suit. Taking aim at the Pawn g5. Since Castling is unknown in Shatranj, so Black is not hesitating to let his King himself defend the endangered Alfil.
Focus at the right wing again. Masterly game on both wings - and unpleasant surprise for Black: sudden breakthrough at White's left (!!) flank - in the footsteps of Theban General Epameinondas - against the right wing of Black. Too late. The infantry is winning the day. The unbelievable dynamic power of an Elephant. The King must pass up the black Alfil on e6. Sic! And Black is lost now: White has not only one Elephant plus, but he is threatening 33.Kxf4 ... and 33.Rg8+ ... with a devastating attack. So: End of recording of the match

So decision finally by a kind of modified version of the Oblique Battle Order: first thrust on right wing, then swing to left wing, but the climax via centre up to right wing.

A very quick and effective breakthrough - but that time mainly via Black's left flank, a 1:1-copy of the master-plan of General Epameinondas - has been executed more than a thousand years later on part of Black. On the occasion of a Midnight Blitz-Contest on January 13th, 2003 in Hamburg, Germany.

White: the former champion of the German Isle of Sylt, the most honourable lawyer Ulrich W. Schmidt from Hamburg/Germany;
Black: the author Dr. Rene Gralla, Hamburg/Germany (4).

The King's Gambit - Armoured Cavalry on the Assault

And now "The King's Gambit":

2.f4 ...
An ages-old opening in Western Chess: the offer to sacrifice a Pawn in the f-lane. 2. ...Bc5 The King's Gambit - not accepted. 3.Nf3 d6 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.d3? ...
A mistake: Better are 5.Bc4 ... or 5.Bb5 ... 5. ... Bg4 6.h3? Bxf3(!) 7.Qxf3 Nd4
Already the all-winning wheel: by an attack on the centre (!) onward to Black's left flank. 8.Qd1 Qh4+
Here we go: the Oblique Battle Order! 9.Kd2 Qxf4+ 10.Ke1 Qg3+
11.Kd2 Qf2+
Black's armoured crack troops are shattering the right wing of White. 12.Be2? ...
White could keep on fighting - in a hopeless position, though - quite a little bit longer with 12.Ne2 ... . 12. ... Nf3+!
Knock-out: 13.gxf3 Be3# 0:1

Most similar to real life-manoeuvres is the Chess-variant of XiangQi, though (5). That's why we can enjoy the strategy of the Oblique Battle Order in many encounters of Chinese Chess: being executed just like a didactic play.

In fact, a lot of games will be decided by an energetic attack on the left flank after the player-commander has manoeuvred all of his fighters against the right wing of his opponent. A typical scheme of assault is the advance P7 + 1 + 1 ... pp. that is turning out to be decisive in many games - and which has to be categorized as the XiangQi equivalent of the Oblique Battle Order.

A handbook-case of the foregoing stratagem has been discussed and decided in the China National "A" League during an encounter on April 9th, 2005, between - Red: Mr. Zhao GuoRong and - Black: Mr. Shang Wei.

Mr. Felix Tan, Chairman of the WXF-Study Commission, has pointed out to that match; the author is expressing his sincerest thanks for that very helpful hint.

There are poems teaching the novice the principles of starting a match. The basic one is titled "Cannon at the middle": "First step you move the cannon into the middle of the palace.
Chariots set beside the river and attack with horse.
Pawns go forward by the strength under the cover of a horse behind."

So, from the past to the present, the majority of players is choosing the Central-Cannon opening: attacking the Black Pawn 5vii immediately by the first move. An early assault that can be compared to Western Chess-"2.Nf3 ..." after "1.Pe4 Pe5" (see the Western Chess-diagram).

The beginning of an attack on the left flank. Daring play: an early central thrust. Black is enforcing the bulwark of his HQ first. The melody of the whole match: The Black forces are fighting for a breakthrough via the left wing of the Northern front-line. Giving up Black's doomed Squadron H3iii on the Northern right wing for a swift swing via the left flank onward South. That is Epameinondas at its best. That avoids 12.... R8=2 plus cornering of Red's left Horse 8i. Red is invited to eat Black Horse on the right wing of the Northern position. The Southern Cavalry is rushing in to annihilate the right-wing Northern Squadron. Though Black is outnumbered on his right wing the Northern army attacks there too. A heavy blow for Red: the loss of the important defense unit E3i, that is to say: 50 per cent of the Southern Elephant corps. The typical constellation of attacking Cannon & supporting Chariot on the opponent's base line. Looks promising, but ... Pincer attack by the Northern artillery on both wings starting the bombardement of the Southern HQ from West and East simultaneously. Assuming apparently that he gets that Cannon for free ... undiscovered check! Shattering the Guard of the Southern General- and at the same time demonstrating that Black's right wing Cannon has indeed been protected indirectly ... by Black's Cannon on the left wing. And Black's next move could be: 26.... R3+4# or 26.... R3-4xC. Black's creativity is amazing. The only way: 30.C5-2xC? ... will be punished by 30.... R3+9xE!; now Red will lose his Cannon and - worse - : the Southern General gets check-mated very fast or has to give up at least one Chariot. Highly volatile situation on both sides of the River Huanghe. Black's great advantage: that River-crossed Pawn. A unit that is that near to the enemy palace is well-known and aptly described by the Chinese saying "One Ghost Knocking At Your Door". A transaction by which South will reap in one Northern Advisor - but that is not enough to recover. Finishing off with the last trump-card of Red: the Vanguard Pawn P5vii. That company of footsoldiers is lost - since after 36.P5+1 ... there will follow: 36.... R3=5 check & 37.... R5-1xP. The former World Champion Zhao GuoRong is giving a hard time to Black. Inviting Red to knock out Black's P7viii - but that will not be sufficient to equalize. Mr. Zhao GuoRong may have sighed with relief after the final exorcism of that "Ghost relentlessly knocking at Red's door" ... That Northern infantry unit though still being that far away will enforce the capitulation of the Southern command in the end. Those checks of revenge are no more than "much ado about nothing". That's it: As a result of the iron rule of Chinese Chess that perpetual checks do not enforce the Remis - as it would have been the case during a match of Western Chess - , Red has to stop his show of force now, and he has to try out something else. Turning the tide: The Southern command has run out of moves. Of course Red Chariot can start to check once more by 50.R6+5 check ... pp. - since the position has changed due to 49.... P9+1 - , but that leads to nowhere; in the end Red has again to give up checking. Now the situation of the scattered Southern units has become hopeless. True: Red can try to resort to one more series of checks: 53.R6=5 check K5=6 54.R5=4 check K6=5 55.R4=5 check K5=6 56.R5=4 check K6=5 57.R4=5 check K5=6 58.R5=4 check K6=5. Red has to stop checking - by, say, 59.R4-2 ..., in order to shield off a lethal lateral check on Red King. At this very moment the temporary retreat of Black Chariot will be decisive: 59.... R7-7! Menacing check-mate by 60.... R7=4#, therefore: 60.R4=5 check R7=5! Now Red has to give in trading off the Chariots by 61.R5+6xR check K5+1xR - otherwise Red King will be check-mated by 61.... R5=4# - .

But that transaction will leave the Southern General helpless against the Long Northern March to victory by 62.... P9=8=7=6+1+1 ... pp (see the triumphant fighters from Chu in illustration).
Consequence:

An impressing show-case piece by Black who has masterly executed the stratagem of Oblique Battle Order.

But players of Chess, be it the original from China or its Western off-spring, have to be aware of one thing: The Oblique Battle Order is risky, so it does not work every time one tries to apply it be it on the board or in the real world as we can learn from history

Archetypical is the example of Friedrich 2nd, the King of Prussia in the 18th century A.D.; the state of Prussia should much later become, in the 19th century, the nucleus of the (first) German re-unification in 1871.

But before that, from 1756 to 1763, Prussia had to survive an overwhelming coalition of enemies, during the War Of Seven Years. Since the great plus of the Oblique Battle Order is the possibility to surprise - and overrun - a superior adversary, Friedrich II. has applied that stratagem two times. At the battle of Leuthen in 1757, he scored a triumph that made him a 18th century military superstar : with a few battalions of veterans - their enemies, the Austrians, had mobilized an army three times stronger -, Friedrich II. out-manoeuvred his adversaries by putting into deadly effect the Oblique Battle Order. In the end 10.000 Austrians had died, whereas the King of Prussia had only lost 1200 of his men.

That's why he tried to repeat that success two years later, against the combined forces of the Austrians and the Russians. But this time the strategy failed tragically: The bloodbath at Kunersdorf in 1759 turned out to be the worst defeat of Friedrich II., nearly wiping out his whole army.

As in real military history, as on the board of XiangQi: The typical feature of the Oblique Battle Order is the situation that the assailant is already out-numbered, but gallantly tries to compensate that grim fact by concentrating his remaining forces and reserves on just one wing. That audacious plan can succeed brilliantly - see Leuktra 371 B.C. and Leuthen 1757 A.D. -, or the strategy can be wrecked hopelessly: see Kunersdorf 1759 A.D.

An instructive parallel to the case of Kunersdorf 1759 has happened on the board of XiangQi few years ago, during a friendly tournament at the location of the practice of doctor Quang Nguyen-Chi, Berliner Platz 13, 22045 Hamburg, on February 28th, 2003.

What a difference one move makes ...!

Commander of the Black army is Mr. Phan Thang from Quang Nam (Vietnam)/Hamburg;

Red troops are led by Dr. Rene Gralla/Hamburg, Germany

As a result of grim fighting the right wing of the Red Army is nearly destroyed. Only one Chariot on Red point 3iv/Black point 7vii(together with two Advisors who have dug in on Red point 4i/Black point 6x and Red point 5ii/Black point 5ix)are trying to ward off the Black assault. The Southern command has one extra Chariot, that should be decisive, in the long run -but at this dramatic moment that our readers can watch down below that extra Chariot on Red point 9i/Black point 1x is a kind of straggler far away from real action. So the Northern command seems to have a temporary superiority on the left wing: with shock-troops of a Chariot on Black point 8ii/Red point 2ix, a Cannon on Black point 9iii/Red point 1viii plus a Horse on Black point 9ix/Red point 1ii , the latter one being menacingly close to the Southern Fortress .

On the other hand the Red Army has one big plus: the central artillery position on Red point 5vii/Black point 5iv. Because of that frightening Red Cannon the whole defence of the Black palace is immobilized. That could be the key of the Southern strategy.

Red cavalry is spotting a small, but deadly gap in the defense of Black on the right wing of the Northern front: Coup de main across the Yellow River, the infantry outpost on Black point 3iv/Red point 7vii will be eliminated; and after that hussar-strike there is great danger for the HQ of Commander-in-chief Phan Thang.

Not the best move, though.

As Mr. Felix Tan from Singapore, Chairman of the Study Commission of World XiangQi-Federation, has pointed out the most accurate way of ensuring victory for Red would have been: 1.H6+4! .... with the possible line of continuation:

(if 2. .... R8=4, then 3.E7+5 .... plus enforcing a trading of the Chariots by 4.R9=6 .... . The rest is easy, says Mr. Felix Tan) (mobilizing the Chariot that has been parked in the barracks on Red point 9i/Black point 1x before) (9. .... E7+5?? 10.R6+7#) (a brilliant sacrifice that is crowning the analyse by Mr. Felix Tan because now there is no defence anymore against the devastating 12.R3+5! ....; the try 11. .... R6-1 will be answered by 12.H4+5 check A6+5! [12. .... A4-5 13.H5+7 double check plus #] 13.R8+7 check 14. E1-3 R8=7xE#) and Black is helpless against (if 12. .... E3-1, then: 13.R8+7 K5=4! [hoping for a temporary blindness on the part of Red and the temporary relief 14. .... E7+5] 14.R8=7xE!#).

Herewith the author is expressing his sincerest thanks to Mr. Felix Tan for that amazing in-depths analyse.

After 1. .... R8+2!, Mr. Felix Tan has explored the way as follows to enforce the Southern victory by a most daring way: A. And now Mr. Felix Tan suggests: With the possible continuation: Now the menace: 5. ... C8+7 check 6.R3-3 H9+7xR and winning.
Discovered check The hidden beauty of that most friendly invitation to capture that Advisor - an invitation that is part of the all-winning design by Mr. Felix Tan - is a pure masterpiece.
Black can not touch that Mandarin since 8. ... R6+4xA? will be punished by 9.H6+5!! ... . See:
I. 9. ... R6-3xH?? 10.R6+7 mate ;
II. 9. ... R6+1 doubled check! 10.A4+5 ... ;
Black seems to be have switched to the winning side - but actually Mr. Phan Thang would be lost now:
a. 10. ... R6-4xH discovered check! 11.R3-2! ... , and Black is helpless against the pending 12.R6+7 mate;
b. 10. ... R6-2 discovered check ¨C and seems to get that Red Chariot for free 11. 11.R3-2! ... , and again there is no way to neutralize that deadly threat on Black point 4i/Red point 6x by 12.R6+7 mate.
c. 10. ... R6=5xA?? doubled check, but: 11.K6=5xR ... - and no check anymore!
div class="move1"> C8-5 9.R3=4! R6=7 10.C5=2xC R7=8xC 11.H6+4 R8-2 12.R6+6 E5+7 13.H4+6