CHAPTER ONE SHIFTING

Chapter One Shifting

Shifting refers to the tactics of dividing the forces for launching an attack on the enemy, when the forces of both sides are entangling each other on the same rank or file. The basic feature of shifting is: one side makes a move to attack two different pieces of the opponent simultaneously, cutting off his vanguard from the rear. By doing so, the attacking side can capture the enemy's piece and gain the initiative or the superiority. This attacking method is aggressive. However, as the movement of such a tactics is not clear, and usually an ordinary player may not be well versed in it, he may be thrown into a difficult position if his opponent can take advantage of it. This tactics can be divided into two types, that is, shifting with Chariot as the "basic piece", or shifting with Cannon as the "basic piece", and they can be re-divided into four types: "shifting Cannon for challenging Chariot ", "shifting Horse for challenging Chariot", "shifting Chariot for exposing Cannon" and "Shifting Horse for exposing Cannon". Now, We analyze them one by one as follows:

1. Shifting Cannon for challenging Chariot 

This is a most common method. When Cannon and Chariot of one side is in alignment with the opponent's unrooted Chariot (that is, unprotected Chariot), both side must pay attention to such a tactics. Following are 5 examples in different situations. 

The first example is typical and simple. At the situation as shown in diagram 1, Red attack on the central-file proves unsuccessful, now, what should he play?