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Xiangqi openings for beginners: the 6 you should learn first
You do not need to memorise long opening lines to play good Xiangqi. You need to know a handful of openings, the idea behind each one, and how to get your chariots into play quickly. This guide covers the six openings you will meet most often online.
The three goals of every opening
- Activate the chariots. A chariot still sitting in the corner after ten moves is a wasted piece.
- Develop the horses so they protect the central soldier and are not blocked (“hobbled”).
- Keep the general safe. Advisors and elephants should stay connected so a single cannon check does not wreck your palace.
1. Central Cannon (中炮)
Red moves a cannon to the central file, aiming straight at Black’s central soldier and the general behind it. It is the most popular first move at every level because it creates immediate pressure and opens a quick route for the chariots. Typical follow-ups are horse to the centre and a chariot sliding to the rib file.
Plan: attack the centre, bring both chariots out fast, and look for a second cannon or horse to join the attack.
2. Screen Horses defence (屏风马)
The classic answer to the Central Cannon. Black develops both horses so they stand side by side in front of the palace, together protecting the central soldier – like a folding screen.
Plan: absorb the central pressure, then counter-attack on the wings with the chariots. It is solid, flexible and the best defence for beginners to learn first.
3. Same Direction Cannons (顺炮)
Black answers the Central Cannon with a central cannon of their own, placed on the same side as Red’s. The game becomes sharp immediately because both sides attack the centre.
Plan: race to activate chariots; the side that gets a chariot to an open file first usually takes the initiative.
4. Opposite Direction Cannons (列炮)
Similar to the previous line, but Black’s central cannon comes from the opposite side. It leads to very aggressive, tactical positions and is popular in fast online games.
Plan: count your attackers before you strike – an early exchange in the centre can leave your own palace exposed.
5. Elephant opening (飞相局)
Red begins by moving an elephant toward the centre. It is a quiet, defensive opening that strengthens the palace first and keeps many options open.
Plan: play slowly, avoid early tactics, and aim for a better middlegame structure. Good against opponents who only know how to attack.
6. Pawn and Horse openings (仙人指路 / 起马局)
Advancing the third or seventh soldier one step (“pawn opening”) opens a path for the horse and tests Black’s intentions. Moving a horse first (“horse opening”) is similarly flexible.
Plan: keep the position fluid and choose your structure only after seeing how Black sets up.
Common beginner opening mistakes
- Moving the same piece several times while the chariots sit still.
- Advancing soldiers on the edge files with no purpose.
- Letting a horse be hobbled by your own pieces.
- Grabbing a soldier with a cannon and losing tempo while the opponent develops.
Practise the openings
The fastest way to learn an opening is to play it many times. Try each one against the computer on an easy level, use Undo to explore alternatives, then test it online against real players. If any piece move is unclear, review the Xiangqi rules.
FAQ
- What is the best Xiangqi opening for beginners?
- The Central Cannon for Red and the Screen Horses defence for Black. They teach the key ideas of central pressure and fast chariot development.
- What is the most common first move in Xiangqi?
- Moving a cannon to the central file (Central Cannon).
- Do I need to memorise Xiangqi opening lines?
- No. Understanding the goals – activate chariots, develop horses, keep the general safe – matters far more than memorising moves.