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Xiangqi rules: how to play Chinese chess
Xiangqi (象棋), or Chinese chess, is one of the most played board games in the world. Here is everything you need to play your first game – then try it free against the computer.
The board
Pieces stand on the intersections of a 9×10 grid. A horizontal gap in the middle is the river. Each side has a 3×3 palace marked with diagonals. Each player has 16 pieces, and Red moves first.
How the pieces move
| Piece | Move | Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| General (帥/將) | One step orthogonally | Must stay in the palace; the two generals may never face each other on an open file (“flying general”) |
| Advisor (仕/士) | One step diagonally | Must stay in the palace |
| Elephant (相/象) | Exactly two steps diagonally | Cannot cross the river; blocked if the midpoint is occupied |
| Chariot (俥/車) | Any distance orthogonally | Like a rook in chess; the strongest piece |
| Cannon (炮/砲) | Moves like a chariot | To capture it must jump over exactly one piece (the “screen”) |
| Horse (傌/馬) | One step straight, then one diagonal | Blocked if a piece stands next to it in the straight direction (“hobbling the horse”) |
| Soldier (兵/卒) | One step forward | After crossing the river may also move sideways; never moves backward |
Winning the game
You win by checkmating the enemy general. Unlike western chess, stalemate is a loss for the player who has no legal move.
Draws and forbidden repetition
Games are drawn by agreement or when neither side can force mate. Perpetual check and perpetual chasing of an unprotected piece are forbidden: the repeating side must deviate or lose.
Beginner tips
- Develop your chariots early.
- The most popular opening is the Central Cannon; the classic reply is the Screen Horses defence. See our Xiangqi openings guide.
- Always check for blocked horses and elephants before calculating.
- Keep advisors and elephants near your general.
Next: learn the basic checkmate patterns, then play Xiangqi online or practise against the computer. All guides: Learn Xiangqi.
FAQ
- Who moves first in Xiangqi?
- Red always moves first.
- Is stalemate a draw in Xiangqi?
- No. In Xiangqi a player with no legal moves loses.
- How does the cannon capture?
- The cannon moves like a chariot but captures by jumping over exactly one piece.