Advisor Opening

The Advisor Opening (上仕局; also written 上士局 in one instructional taxonomy) is an uncommon xiangqi opening in which Red begins by moving an advisor toward the center of the palace. Jim Png Hau Cheng’s A Lexicon of Xiangqi/Chinese Chess Terms in English uses the published English name “Advisor Opening,” defines it as Red’s first move A4+5 or A6+5, calls it unorthodox, and assigns it code A01.

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Name and classification

The lexicon says the opening has been criticized for revealing Red’s defensive setup early, particularly on the flanks, before Red chooses a later formation. It names the Central Cannon (中炮), Screen Horse (屏风马), and Sandwiched Horse (反宫马) as possible later formations. These are the lexicon author’s qualitative observations; the entry gives no game, variation, or independent analysis establishing that the move is objectively disadvantageous.

An instructional text hosted on Book118 divides first-move openings into attacking and defensive types and places Flying Elephant and 上士局 among its two defensive types. This is that text’s taxonomy; the accessible material does not establish it as a consensus classification or identify the original work’s author or publication details.

A 2026 instructional overview presents a more favorable assessment, calling the opening uncommon but “not without reason,” describing it as defensive, and saying it leaves open a later Central Cannon formation. The writer also suggests possible surprise value, without giving a game or position to substantiate that suggestion.

Recorded examples and frequency

The lexicon describes the Advisor Opening as rarely seen, including in National Individuals Championships, but gives no period or game count. XQBase’s 2004 A00–A99 catalog is reported to list two A01 games; this is a count for that catalog alone, and its source page was unavailable for direct checking during the source review.