A Master Teaches Xiangqi

Ban LO likes complex chess positions, but teaches using simple principles. The challenge lies in following them. Here is a summary of what Bill Brydon has been told over and over.

• There are about 200 positions that must be learned by heart. These include both middle and endgames. After learning these, you will get your own ideas.
• Concentrate on learning to maintain the initiative with Red. One exercise is to learn to beat your teacher with a four-move handicap (Red can't take Black's central pawn), and then three, and two moves. This can be very frustrating.
• Only play 1. C2=5 (Che3). After you have learned the openings that follow this move, you can play other moves, such as 1. E3+5 (Ege3) and 1. P7+1 (Pc5). (LO himself used 1. C2=5 for most of his career.)
• Learn from books with practical technical content. LO favours H. T. Lau's "Chinese Chess", the Ming Dynasty classics, and Chinese collections of instructional middle and endgames.
• Don't read chess magazines for fun. Stick to your lessons, and leave coverage of grandmaster tournaments for strong players.
• However, learn the opening from the grandmasters. You should be able to play the first 10 to 15 moves quickly from memory, and use your time for later positions.
• Don't spend too much time practicing with friends. Study at home, and test yourself at serious tournaments.
• Analyze your own games in depth. Pay particular attention to your losses. It is essential to know why you lost.