1. C2.5

1. ... H8+7 
Probably the most popular reply to 1. C2.5. Other good moves 
often seen are  1. ... H2+3 and 1. ... C8.5. Also playable, 
but not so popular is 1. ... C2.5. Even the moves 1. ... E3+5,
1. ... E7+5, 1. ... A6+5 and 1. ... A4+5 are  possible choices,
although lacking flexibility. All other moves are clearly inferior,
since Black should not allow that Red plays 2.C5+4 as long as the
central file cannot be closed by Black.

2. H2+3

2. ... C8+2
This move is not often seen, but it's probably not a serious 
mistake. More usual are 2. ... R9.8, 2. ... H2+3 or 2. ... P7+1.

3. P7+1

3. ... C8.1?
Attacking Red's rook may look attractive, but it violates basic
opening principles. Black moves the cannon for the second time 
although the other pieces have not been developed. Furthermore
the position of the cannon will not be improved by this move, 
Red can counter the attack on his rook by a simple move 
developing another piece and later on Red will gain a tempo 
with the move P9+1. Although 3. ... C8-1 doesn't loose any 
material, this move should be marked as dubious. Instead, 
Black should develop another piece, e.g. by 3. ... R9.8, 
3. ... H2+3, 3. ... H2+1 or 3. ... P7+1.

4. H8+9

4. ... R9.8
The most logical move, Black takes control of the open file.

5. C8.7

5. ... H2+3?
This is definitely a mistake. Beginners should memorise this 
type of position on the elephant file. Since Black's horse is
unprotected, Red can play 6. P7+1 and Black will loose material 
without compensation. What are possible alternatives for Black?
If he wants to develop his horse, he has to play 5. ... H2+1. 
However, this horse will remain passive for quite a while, 
a consequence of the inaccurate move 3. ... C8.1. Even without
Black's move 5. ... H2+3? Red is threatening 6.P7+1, since the 
elephant is unprotected as well. For that reason, Black might 
consider 5. ... E3+5 or 5. ... E7+5. Xiangqi positions are 
almost always prone to tactical motives. This is another 
example. Considering the undeveloped pieces of Black it looks
 too early to start an attack with 5. ... R8+5. Nevertheless,
 this move is worth a deeper look. If you have disregarded 
this move at all you should look at the position once more.
After 6. P7+1 R8.3 7.R9.8 (7.C7+1?? R3+1!) R3+2 8.R8+7 E3+5 
the position looks not too bad for Black. Red will probably 
play 6.R9.8 and still have the better position.

6. P7+1
After only 6 moves Red has a clear advantage.

6. ... P3+1?
Black decides to sacrifice the horse, but he won't get any real 
compensation. The alternatives don't look very bright but Black 
had to keep the horse e.g. by playing 7. ... H3-5 at once or a 
move later. Possible moves besides 7. ... H3-5 are 
e.g. 7. ... E3+5, 7. ... E7+5 or 7. ... P7+1.

7. C7+5
With a piece more Red has a won position. Black should try to 
complicate the position, but that's easier said than done.

7. ... P3+1
 To have an advanced pawn is desirable, but in this position 
the pawn is lacking assistance of Black's pieces. Other moves 
Black might have tried are e.g. 7. ... C2+5, 7. ... C1.2, 
7. ... R1+1 or 7. ... P7+1 although none of these moves is 
really promising.

8. R9.8

8. ... R1.2?
It will be very difficult for Black to release the pin on his
 cannon, in particular after Red's next move. A little bit 
better might be 8. ... C2+3, e.g. 8. ... C2+3 9. P9+1 C1.2. 

9. R8+6

9. ... C1.7
There are no good moves, since Red is threatening C5.8.

10. R1+2 

10. ... A6+5

11. P3+1

11. ... C7.4 (?)
The position is almost hopeless, still Black shouldn't allow 
that Red can push forward his pieces by winning a tempo while 
attacking the cannon.

12. H3+4

12. ... C4.6

13. H4+6

13. ... R8+4
 
14. R1.4

14. ... C6.5

15. P5+1

15. ... C5+3

16. H6+4

16. ... C5-1?
Black allows the checkmate. If he wants to continue the hopeless
game he has to play 16. ... A5+6 or 16. ... R8-3.

17. H4+3 checkmate


Summary

Black's first important mistake is 3. ... C8.1?. Black should 
develop his pieces instead.

5. ... H2+3? and 6. ... P3+1? Are very serious mistakes and 
yield already a lost position for Black.From here on Black can
only try to make the position as complicated as possible. 

8. ... R1.2 is another mistake in the already lost position 
which makes Red's task easier. 

The move 16. ... C5-1 allowed an immediate checkmate and must 
therefore be marked as another mistake, although the position 
was already very bad.

1. C2.5

1. ... H2+3

2. H2+3

2. ... R9+1
Black chooses to play a quite difficult opening.

3. C8.7
This move is ok, although not very flexible, 3. R1.2, 3. P7+1 and 3. H8+7 are more common.

3. ... R9.4

4. A4+5
Red is overly cautious and prevents 4. ... R4+6. However, this was not a serious threat.
With 4. P7+1 Red could reach a typical position of the 3. P7+1 line. Other good moves
are 4. R1.2 or 4. H8+9, since 4.H8+9 R4+6 5.C7-1 is ok for Red, who might gain a tempo
with A4+5 or A6+5 later on. I wouldn't go so far and mark 4.A4+5 as an error, but it makes
Black's life not too difficult.

4. ... R4+3

5. H8+9

5. ... H8+9

6. P9+1
This is a useful move opening a path for Red's horse. However, Red should not forget
one of the basic principles of Xiangqi openings: Activate at least one of your rooks early!
For that reason, Red should be aware that this was the last chance to play R1.2, since
this move is not good any more after Black's P9+1 because of H9+8. 6. P9+1 is not an
error, as long as Red has a good plan to activate his rooks. As the next moves will
show, Red did not have such a plan in mind.

6. P9+1

7. H9+8?
This is Black's first serious error. A situation Xiangqi newbies should keep in mind:
If your opponent has a rook at the river bank, this rook might be able to attack
and block your horse if this moves to the other river bank. That can be ok, as long
as you can protect your horse. Here, the horse can not be protected after Black's
R4.2 and has to retreat immediately. As already mentioned in the last note, it's
time for Red to develop his rooks. It's too late for 7. R1.2, since Black can reply
with 7. ... H9+8. However, Red can try to activate his rook by 7. P1+1. Alternatively,
the other rook can be brought into play by 7. R9.8. Another option is possibly
7. P3+1.

7. ... R4.2

8. H8-6?
This is not a good place for the horse. It's probably better to accept that 7.H9+8
was a mistake and play 8.H8-9.

8. ... R2.4

9. H6-7
Red could have reached this position already with 7.H9-7, that's obviously not
what Red had intended. Now Black has already a comfortable position with
a slight advantage.

9. ... H9+8

10. P1+1?
Ultimately, Red tries to activate one of his rooks. Unfortunately, it doesn't work in
this position as Black's answer shows. Better moves were 10. P3+1 to make
Black's H8+6 impossible or 10.R9.8 (develop a rook!!).

10. ... C8.9
Now, Red can't play P1+1 because of C9+7. If he plays R1.2, Black wins a pawn with
P9+1.

11. R9.8
Late, may be too late?!

11. ... R1.2

12. C7+4?
Although snapping a pawn, this move is not good. The cannon had to protect the
horse on g2, now Black's H8+6 gains a tempo. Furthermore, Black will have
the options R4.3 and C2+5 in some lines. Red's position was already difficult,
after 12. C7+4? Black's position is clearly superior. Red should have tried
12. R8+6 or 12. R8+4. 12. P3+1 is problematic because of the possible answers
12. ... C2+6 or 12. ... C2+3.

12. ... H8+6

13. R1+2
Red is in trouble. Probably not better are 13. H3-4 R4.3 or 13.A5+4 H6+8.

13. ... P9+1
Not a bad move, but Black misses the better 13. ... C2+5. He probably feared
14. C7+3, but after 14. ... A4+5 Black is much better. 

14. R1.2
Looks like the only possible move, but R1+2 has to be considered as well, although
it turns out to be insufficient. It's true that Black has to return the piece after
14.R1+2 H6+7 15.A5+4 but with e.g. 15. H7+6! he can maintain his superior position.

14. ... P9.8
Again Black could have tried C2+5.

15. P3+1
Red gives up a pawn to simplify the position. Not a bad plan although Black's
advantage will remain. Alternatives to be checked may be 15.H3-4 or 15.R8+4.

15. ... P8.7

16. H3+4

16. ... P+.6

17. C5.3

17. ... E3+5
17. ... E7+5 may be more accurate.

18. R2+5?
Red plans a little combination, but Black's attack is faster. For that reason, Red
should have tried to hem Black's cannon by 18.R8+6 or 18.R8+4. In any case, Red's
position is difficult.

18. ... C2+5
Red is in deep trouble!

19. C3+7?
Red ignores Black's threat C2.5 and starts his own trick. However, Red's combination
only wins an elephant and doesn't do anything against Black's threat. Thus, 19.C3+7
is a serious error and should result in a clearly won position for Black! But ...

19. ... E5-7

20. R2.7 (?)
This was the idea of 19. C3+7, but now Black should have played C2.5. Thus, it might
be better for Red to accept the loss of a piece and play 20.E3+5 or 20.A5-4.

20. ... C9+7?
Black misses the obvious C2.5. He still has the much better position after C9+7
but this is an unnecessary complication.

21. A5-4
Better than 21.E3+5 R4.8

21. ... R4+4
Black decides to continue the attack. 21. ... R4.3 was an interesting alternative.

22. R7.3
It's not clear to me whether 22. R7.2 is any better. 

22. ... R4.6
Black misses another chance: 22. ... C2.7 would have been very interesting.

23. H7+5
A good move. Red has some hope now.

23. ... C2-1

24. P7+1

24. ... P6.5?

25. A6+5??
Red was back in the game, with 25.R3-1 he could have solved his problems. After
e.g. 25.R3-1 P5+1 26.R3.5 A4+5 27.R5-3 C2+2 28.C7.5 Red actually has an almost
won position. With 25.A6+5?? Red lets slip this last chance, now Black will win!

25. ... P5+1

26. H5-7 
26. R3-1 might hold a little longer.

26. ... C2+2
Good enough, but Black misses the nice move 26. ... P5+1 (e.g. 27.H7+5 C2.5!)

27. R3-1
There is no sufficient defence any more.

27. ... R6.5

28. K5.6

28. ... R2+7

29. R3+5

29. ... A4+5

30. R5.6

30. ... R2.6

31. C7+3

31. ... R6+2

32. H7-5

32. R6.5 checkmate


Summary

Red plays a too cautious opening and "forgets" to develop his rooks.

With 7.H9+8? he starts a time consuming journey of his horse yielding a
very comfortable position for Black.

10. P1+1? is a tactical error

12. C7+4? allows Black to start a strong attack on Red's right horse, after
which Red is in real trouble.

18. R2+5? ignores Black's threat C2.5 and should have lead to a lost position for Red.

However, Black misses some chances an allows Red to recover.

With move 25 Red could have reached a superior position. However, 25.A4+5 was
the final blunder letting Red without any further chances.

1. C2.5 H8+7

2. H2+3 R9.8

3. H8+7 H2+3

4. R9+1 P3+1

5. R1.2 P7+1

6. R9.6 E3+5

7. E3+1?
So far we have seen a normal opening. Red has allowed Black to play
P7+1 and P3+1. Thus, both red horses can't advance to the river at
the moment. Red has recognised this problem, which can be solved in
a couple of ways. However, he chooses a method which is not appropriate
in this position. He plays his elephant to assist the g-pawn. This is
ok in some positions, but it is a very slow method. Here Red should 
bring a rook to the river bank to assist both his pawns on g and c
file. Better moves than 7.E3+1 are 7.R2+4, 7.R6+4 or 7.R2+6 followed
by R6+4.

7. ... A4+5
Black could also play 7. ... C8+4

8. P3+1 (?)
Of course this was the idea behind 7.E3+1. However, Red could still
acknowledge the drawbacks of this plan and play 8.R2+4.

8. ... P7+1 

9. E1+3

9. ... C2+2

10. A6+5?
Black didn't see the idea behind 9. ... C2+2. Better moves are 10. R2+3
(plan 11. ... H7+8 12.R2.4), 10. R2+6 or the surprising move 10. H3+4,
since 10. ... H7+8 can be countered with 11. C5.2

10. ... H7+8
Now Black clearly has the edge.

11. R2.1
The alternatives 11.R2.3 C8.7 and 11.H3+2 are not better since the pin
is annoying in both cases.

11. ... R1.4

12. R6+8 K5.4

13. P1+1?
This move does not improve Red's difficult position. However, it's not easy
to recommend really good moves. 13.C5.6 followed by 14.E3-5 might be a plan
to improve the co-ordination of Red's pieces.

13. ... C8.7

14. E3-1 (?)
Again, it's easy to criticise this move, but good alternatives are not
abundant. 14.R1+2? H8+7 looses a piece and 14.H3+2 H8+6 also yields a
better position for Black.

14. ... H8+7

15. R1.2?
After this move Black will gain at least a piece. Although the alternatives
don't look bright at all, Red has to try 15.H3-2 or 15.H7-6 and has to hope
that Black doesn't find the best moves. After 15.R1.2? the task is too simple
for Black.

15. ... R8+9

16. H3-2

16. ... H7+9

17. H2+3?
Black had two mate threats, 16. ... H9+7 and 16. ... C7+7. If Red wants to
continue the game he has to give the horse by playing one of the moves
17. A5+4, 17.A5+6 or 17.A5-6. Of course, Black has a won position in all cases.

17. ... H9+7 checkmate


Summary

After a normal opening Red's moves 7.E3+1? and 8.P3+1? were a too slow method
to free the horse on g2.

10. A6+5? ignored Black's threat H9+8 and consequently, Red's rook had to
retreat to a passive place.

These errors yielded a position much better for Black. With 13.P1+1 Red lost
more time allowing Black to strengthen his attack.

In an already very difficult (probably already lost) position 15.R1.2? made
Black's task quite easy. 

17. H2+3? allows the checkmate and is therefore an error. However, Red had
no chance to avoid the loss of a horse.