Chinese Chess (Xiangqi)
The classic 9×10 Chinese strategy board game. Chariots, horses, cannons, and generals battle across the river. Checkmate to win!
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the flying-general rule in Xiangqi?
The two Generals (帥 and 將) are not allowed to face each other directly on the same file with no pieces between them. This means a General effectively 'attacks' along an open file, which is often used as a tactical threat to force the opponent to block the file.
How does the Cannon capture pieces?
The Cannon moves like a Chariot (any distance in straight lines) when not capturing. To capture an enemy piece, it must jump over exactly one piece of either color (called the 'screen' or 'platform') and land on the enemy piece. Without a screen between them, the Cannon cannot capture.
Why can't Ministers cross the river?
Ministers (相 for Red, 象 for Black) are defensive pieces confined to their own half of the board. They move exactly two points diagonally and cannot cross the river. They can also be blocked if the midpoint of their diagonal move is occupied — this is called 'blocking the elephant's eye.'
What is the difference between Xiangqi and international chess?
Xiangqi is played on intersecting lines rather than squares, has a river dividing the board, palaces that restrict the General and Guards, a Cannon with a unique screen-capture move, and the flying-general rule. There is no queen, and pieces like Soldiers and Ministers have more constrained movement, leading to faster, more tactical games.
Explore Game Details
About Xiangqi
Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) is a two-player strategy board game that originated in China over a thousand years ago. Played on a 9×10 board of intersecting lines divided by the Chu River and Han Border, each side commands 16 pieces including a general, guards, ministers, horses, chariots, cannons, and soldiers.
Benefits
Playing Xiangqi demands tactical calculation, pattern recognition, and long-range planning. The unique cannon (which needs a screen to capture) and the flying-general rule make you evaluate threats across the whole board, while the river and palace constraints shape how every attack develops.
How to Play
- The board is 9×10 intersecting lines with a river in the middle and a 3×3 palace at each side. Red and Black each start with 16 pieces placed on the intersections; Red moves first.
- Each piece moves by type: General (帥/將) moves one step orthogonally within the palace; Guard (仕/士) one step diagonally within the palace; Minister/Elephant (相/象) two steps diagonally, cannot cross the river, and is blocked if the midpoint is occupied (blocking the elephant's eye); Horse (馬) moves in an L-shape but is blocked if the adjacent orthogonal point is occupied (hobbling the horse's leg); Chariot (車) slides any distance in straight lines; Cannon (炮) moves like a chariot but to capture must jump over exactly one piece (the screen); Soldier (兵/卒) moves one step forward, and after crossing the river may also move sideways.
- Special rules: the two Generals cannot face each other directly on the same file with no pieces between them (the flying-general rule); Ministers cannot cross the river; Soldiers cannot move backward.
- A General is in check when it is under immediate threat of capture. A player must immediately resolve a check by moving the General, capturing the checking piece, or interposing a piece to block the threat.
- Checkmate occurs when the General is in check and has no legal move to escape it. The player who delivers checkmate wins. A player with no legal moves at all (stalemate) also loses.
- Repetition and perpetual check rules apply: perpetually checking the opponent with the same moves is generally not allowed, and the checking side must vary their play or be ruled to lose.
Strategy Tips
Develop your Chariots early: Chariots are the most powerful pieces, so activate them quickly to control open files and exert pressure across the board.
Use Cannons with screens: A Cannon's power comes from having a piece to jump over. Position your Cannons where friendly or enemy pieces can serve as screens for capturing key targets, especially the enemy General.
Protect your General and palace: Keep your Guards and Ministers intact to defend the palace, and never let the flying-general rule work against you. A weak palace invites quick checkmates.
Push Soldiers after crossing the river: A Soldier that has crossed the river can move sideways and becomes much more dangerous. Advance Soldiers in coordinated groups to overwhelm the enemy defense.
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