The Screen Horse is the classic and deepest answer to the Central Cannon. It does not rush to counter-attack; it first builds a solid structure, then looks for the moment to hit back.

1. The basic shape

The signature of the Screen Horse is two horses side by side — Black plays Horse 8 to 7 and Horse 2 to 3, each covering one side of the centre. The immediate effects:

  • the centre pawn is protected, so Red's cannon cannot win anything quickly;
  • the key squares in front of the palace are controlled, blocking Red's central horse;
  • space is kept for the chariots and cannons to manoeuvre later.

Combined with the cannons, this structure produces an enormous number of variations — which is why it has stayed at the top of professional play for so long.

2. Typical move order

Against Red's Central Cannon, Black usually plays:

  1. Horse 8 to 7 (or Horse 2 to 3) to establish the screen;
  2. Chariot 9 to 8 onto an open file, ready to support the centre or swing to a wing;
  3. Pawn 3 or Pawn 7 forward to free a horse and prepare the counter.

Which horse and which chariot move first changes the direction of the coming play. Beginners should not memorise move orders — the principle is what matters: secure first, coordinate always.

3. Standard counter-attacking plans

The Screen Horse is not passive. Typical counters:

  • Pawn 7 forward — frees the 7-file horse, preparing Horse 7 to 6;
  • Cannon 8 up 4 — hits Red's centre soldier or prepares a cannon slide against a horse;
  • Chariot 8 up 6 — crosses the river to support the centre pawn and combine with cannon and horse;
  • Horse 7 to 6 — steps out through the centre and attacks Red's cannon or soldier directly.

The common thread: hold the centre, then trade wing activity for the initiative.

4. Practical points and mistakes

  • Do not throw pawns forward for the sake of it. Every pawn push must serve the horse or the chariot, and must not weaken the centre.
  • Watch Red's cross-river chariot. Decide whether to drive it back or leave it alone; attacking it carelessly with horse or cannon usually backfires.
  • Mind the horse leg. The centre is crowded, so your horses are easy to block; pawn moves should leave the horses a route.
  • Keep the horses connected. They should defend each other so Red cannot pick them off one at a time.

The Screen Horse is a large system: learn one fixed move order first, then expand. Play it against the AI's Central Cannon repeatedly until the positions are familiar, then start varying.

Read next: the Central Cannon guide for Red's logic, and Reverse Palace Horse for a different elastic defence.