When Red opens with the Central Cannon, Black's most classical response is to put both horses on the third line in front of the elephants, side by side, protecting the center. This formation is called the Screen Horses (in Vietnamese Bình phong Mã, "horse screen"). It is solid, flexible and teaches Black's side of the opening better than any other system.
This article explains how to set it up, why it works, how play typically continues, and what mistakes to avoid.
The setup
Against C2=5, Black plays H8+7, defending the center soldier. Soon after, Black plays the other horse to the third line with H2+3. Red usually develops horses too, and after two moves each a typical position looks like this:
Why it works
It defends the center directly
The red central cannon threatens the black center soldier through the screen of Red's own center soldier. With a horse defending it, capturing the soldier costs Red the cannon. With two horses, the center is doubly protected.
It keeps the center file clear
In the Screen Horses setup, the horses stand beside the center file, not on it. That matters: pieces on the center file between the red cannon and the black general are pinned and uncomfortable. Here, the file in front of the black general holds only the center soldier, a much healthier structure.
It frees the chariots
With the horses out, the chariots in the corners can slide onto the files the horses left: R9=8 or R1=2 for Black. From there they can come up the board or swing along the ranks.
It is flexible
Black can continue in many ways: advance the 3rd or 7th soldier to give the horses more room, place a cannon on the river bank, bring a chariot across, or prepare a counterattack against Red's chariot or horse.
Typical continuations
After the setup, both sides usually aim to get their chariots active. Common ideas for Black:
- Chariot out quickly. R9=8 or R1=2, then up the board to challenge Red's chariots or pressure Red's cannon.
- Soldier moves on files 3 and 7. Moves like P3+1 or P7+1 open lines for the horses and prevent Red from gaining space there.
- Cannon to the river bank or an active file. The black cannons are free to find good posts once the horses have moved.
- Counter-pressure on Red's chariot. If Red's chariot comes to the river bank or crosses the river early, Black looks for moves that attack it with tempo — a horse jump, a cannon placement or a soldier move — gaining time for development.
Typical middlegame themes
The horses as a pair
The two horses protect each other and the center. Red often tries to separate them, for example by attacking one with a chariot so that it must move and leave the center weaker. Black tries to keep them connected until the center is secure.
Soldier breaks
Black's soldiers on files 3 and 7 are important. Advancing one can give a horse a good forward point; exchanging one can open a file for a chariot. These small soldier decisions often shape the whole middlegame.
Counterattack on one wing
Because the center is solid, Black can often start play on one wing: a chariot and a cannon combining against Red's side, or a horse jumping forward once its leg is secure.
Mistakes to avoid
Leaving the chariots at home
The Screen Horses setup is only good if the chariots follow quickly. If Black spends too long on soldier and cannon moves, Red's chariots dominate.
Blocking your own horses
A black soldier or cannon on the wrong point can block a horse's leg. Before placing a piece in front of a horse, check that the horse can still jump forward when it needs to.
Moving a horse away too early
Each horse is part of the defense of the center. Moving one to a far attacking post before the center is safe can let Red's central cannon come back into play.
Passive play
The Screen Horses defense is solid, but solidity is not a plan. If Black only reacts to Red's moves, Red eventually finds a way through. Look for active chances once the setup is complete.
Red's viewpoint
It helps to know what Red is trying to do against this defense:
- develop both chariots quickly and put one on an active post,
- keep the central cannon aimed, so the black center stays tied down,
- target a horse that becomes stuck, or a chariot that stays at home,
- sometimes switch the attack to a wing where Black's pieces are fewer.
If you play Black, anticipate these ideas and meet them with development and counter-threats.
Why it is good for learners
The Screen Horses teaches Black's key opening lessons: defend the center with pieces rather than soldiers, keep the center file clear, develop chariots early, and stay flexible. Even players who later adopt sharper defenses usually start here.
Practice
On the home page, choose Black and play the computer, answering C2=5 with H8+7 and building the setup. Count how many moves it takes to get both chariots out. Aim for eight or fewer. Then read the Central Cannon opening from Red's side to understand what you are defending against. More systems are in the openings section.
A plan for the first twelve moves as Black
Here is a practical checklist for the Screen Horses setup:
- Moves 1–2: both horses to the third line in front of the elephants.
- Moves 3–4: one chariot out onto the file a horse has left.
- Moves 5–7: decide on soldier moves on files 3 or 7 to give the horses room; bring the second chariot.
- Moves 8–12: place the cannons actively — on the river bank, on a file facing Red's weaker side, or in the center if the center file is safe — and look for the first target.
If you reach move twelve with both horses, both chariots and at least one cannon active, and without having lost material, you have played the opening well regardless of what the computer or your opponent tried.
Reading Red's intentions
Watch where Red's chariots go. A red chariot crossing the river early usually aims at one of your horses or at your soldiers on that side; answer it with development that gains tempo. A red chariot staying on its own river bank suggests a slower plan; use that time to complete your setup and prepare a counterattack.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Screen Horses only a defense against the Central Cannon?
It is mostly used against the Central Cannon, but the idea of developing both horses to protect the center is useful against many openings.
Which horse should move first?
Either can. Many players move the horse on the side of Red's central cannon first, but it depends on habits and on Red's next moves.
Is it too passive?
Not if the chariots follow quickly. It is a solid base from which Black can counterattack.
What should I learn next?
Learn the Same and Opposite Direction Cannons, which are Black's sharper alternatives, and study typical middlegame plans.
