Linked Horses vs Linked Horses Opening formation

As some janggi players open game with formation H+E+E+H, in this opening file we will propose some possible continuations with the Linked Horses system.

Initial position

  1. P79-78 2.P41-42
  2. H08-87 4. H18-37
  3. C88-85 6. C38-35
  4. H02-83 8. H12-33
  5. P75-74 10. P45-46

Diagram 1

Here Cho (Blue) has two possibilities:

A) E03-75, classical development

B) H87-75, linked Horses formation

A) E03-75

  1. E03-75 12. E17-45
  2. R09-69 14. P43-53
  3. E75:P47 16. P46:E47
  4. E07-75 18. P47-57
  5. C82-84 20. C32-34
  6. R69-64 22. H33-54
  7. R64-68 and Han (Red) has better position. Maybe Cho maneuvers with Chariot is too slow and schematic in this situation.

However, instead of 12. E17-45 Han can play also

11……       12. P43-53

  1. C82-84 14. H37-45
  2. P77-67 16. P42-52
  3. P78-68 18. C32-34
  4. E75:P47 20. P46:E47
  5. A06-96 22. K25-15
  6. C84-06 24. A14-25
  7. H87-75 26. K15-14

Han is preparing a place for the Cannon (Cho treats H75-56). The position is even, but Cho has maybe a little bit more free figures.

Let’s go back to the position on Diagram

B) 11.H87-75

  1. H87-75 12. R11-51
  2. P71-61 14. R51-52
  3. P61-62 16. R52:P62
  4. H75-54 18. R62-52
  5. H54:H33 20. C32-34
  6. R01-21 22. A14-24
  7. R21-23 and Cho gains the Elephant. Maybe here maneuvering with red Chariot isn’t the better strategy.

Obviously Han isn’t obliged to play with Chariot. He can choose also another moveinstead of 12. R11-51. For example (after Cho move 11. H87-75):

  1. …. 12. P43-53
  2. C82-84 14. H37-45 (here’s Linked Horse vs Linked Horse formation)

Now the best continuation for Cho is maybe

  1. P77-67 16. R19-18
  2. R78-68 18. C32-34
  3. R01-02 20. P42-52

Position is even.