How to play
Red moves first. Click one of your pieces to see where it can go, then click a highlighted point. Pieces sit on the intersections, not inside the squares. Switch to Letter pieces if you are still learning the Chinese characters.
The pieces
- General 帅/将 (K) – one step orthogonally, never leaving the palace (the 3×3 box with diagonals).
- Advisor 仕/士 (A) – one step diagonally inside the palace.
- Elephant 相/象 (E) – exactly two points diagonally, cannot cross the river, and is blocked if the point in between is occupied.
- Horse 马 (H) – one step straight then one diagonally outward. It is blocked ("hobbled") if the adjacent point in the first direction is occupied.
- Chariot 车 (R) – any distance in a straight line, like a rook.
- Cannon 炮 (C) – moves like a chariot, but captures only by jumping over exactly one piece.
- Soldier 兵/卒 (P) – one step forward; after crossing the river it may also step sideways. Soldiers never move backward.
Winning and special rules
You win by checkmating the enemy general. Unlike Western chess, a player with no legal moves loses – stalemate is not a draw. The two generals may never face each other on the same file with nothing between them (the "flying general" rule). This version calls a draw after a threefold repetition or 60 moves without a capture.
Strategy tips
- The classic opening is the central cannon (炮二平五), aiming straight at the enemy general.
- Develop your horses early and get your chariots onto open files – chariots are your strongest pieces.
- Keep advisors and elephants connected; they defend each other and your general.
- Soldiers become much stronger after crossing the river, especially near the palace.
New to the game? Our Xiangqi basics guide covers openings and common checkmates.
FAQ
What do 楚河 and 漢界 mean?
They label the river across the middle of the board: "Chu River, Han Border", recalling the war between the Chu and Han states.
Is perpetual check allowed?
Tournament rules forbid perpetual check and chase. For casual play this site simply declares a draw on repeated positions.