Same-Direction Cannon is the double-edged opening where both players put a cannon on the centre file. It does not seek safety first like the Screen Horse — it puts the argument on the centre file from move one and asks who calculates better.

1. The structure

Red plays Cannon 2 to 5 and Black answers Cannon 8 to 5, so the two cannons face the same way. The consequences:

  • both sides carry equal central pressure, so the first slip is punished;
  • the position is open, pieces meet early, and the middlegame arrives fast;
  • the order in which chariots, horses and cannons come out largely sets the rhythm of the game.

The main branches are defined by how the chariots are used: straight versus horizontal, straight versus straight, horizontal versus straight.

2. Straight versus horizontal

Red's straight chariot — a chariot to an open file (Chariot 1 to 2 or Chariot 9 to 8), with an obvious attacking direction that combines well with the central cannon and horses.

Black's horizontal chariot — Chariot 9 up 1, then across to the rib or centre file. More mobile: it can reinforce the defence quickly and switch to attack at the right moment.

Both have merits: the straight chariot attacks directly, the horizontal one manoeuvres. The result usually depends on who coordinates first.

3. Red's attacking priorities

  1. Finish developing the major pieces quickly — do not shuffle the same piece twice;
  2. Use the central pressure to make Black commit, then choose the attacking wing;
  3. Watch the horse legs — the centre is crowded and your own horses block easily;
  4. Control the squares around the river to set up a cross-river or river-patrolling chariot.

4. Black's defence and counter

Black is not passive here:

  • swing the horizontal chariot to the centre or rib file to strengthen the defence;
  • look for a cannon strike against Red's centre soldier, or a cannon slide to harass;
  • the moment Red's advanced pieces lose contact, counter at once with horse and chariot.

The rule: the centre must not collapse first, and counter-attacks only start from a complete defence.

5. Practical points

  • One slow move can lose the initiative in this opening — keep the tempo up;
  • do not break your structure to win a single soldier;
  • keep asking whether to continue the double-edged play or to consolidate, and avoid drifting between the two.

Start with one fixed straight-chariot or horizontal-chariot move order, then expand. Play it consistently against the AI before trying the sharper lines.

Read next: the Opposite Cannon and Central Cannon guides.