---
title: "How to Meet Cannon Across the Palace as Black · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Develop naturally with horses and a chariot rather than reacting to a specific threat, since Cannon Across the Palace does not force an immediate concrete reply."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/how-do-i-meet-cannon-across-the-palace-as-black
updated: 2026-09-23
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# How do I meet Cannon Across the Palace as Black?

These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws and is regression-tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it against the engine before publishing.

> Direct answer
>
> **Develop naturally** rather than looking for a forced reply. Because Cannon Across the Palace does not create the kind of immediate threat the Central Cannon does, Black is free to bring out horses and open a file for a chariot without needing to answer anything specific first, and can decide on a plan once Red's intentions become clearer.

## Why there is no single required response

Unlike facing the Central Cannon, where Screen Horses answers a concrete threat down the centre, Cannon Across the Palace leaves Black with several reasonable, roughly equal replies. Sound, ordinary development, a horse out, a chariot finding an open file, generally serves better here than searching for one specific system by name.

## What to watch for as the position develops

Because Red kept the option of attacking either wing, keep an eye on which side Red's second cannon and chariot start pointing toward, and mirror your own development to strengthen the side about to come under pressure rather than developing symmetrically without a plan.

## Related questions

Do I need a specific named defence against this opening?

No. Sound, unhurried development covers this opening better than a specific memorised system does.

Should I try to punish Red for not playing more directly?

Not by force. There is no immediate weakness to exploit; see [punishing a slow move](https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/how-do-i-punish-a-slow-move-in-the-opening) for when that idea actually applies.

## Related xiangqi resources

Choosing an opening

How many you need, and which pair to learn

Screen Horses

The main defence to the Central Cannon

Opening principles

What the first ten moves are actually for

## Try it on a real board

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