Xiangqi basics: openings and classic checkmates

Once you know how the pieces move, these principles and patterns will win you far more games.

How much is each piece worth?

A common rough scale: chariot 9, cannon 4.5, horse 4, advisor 2, elephant 2, soldier 1 (about 2 after crossing the river). Cannons are stronger in the opening when the board is crowded; horses get stronger in the endgame when there are fewer pieces to block them.

Popular openings

• Central cannon (炮二平五): Red moves a cannon to the middle file, aiming at Black’s central soldier and general. The most common attacking opening.
• Screen horses (屏风马): Black answers by developing both horses to protect the central soldier. The classic solid defence against the central cannon.
• Elephant opening (飞相局): Red starts with an elephant to the centre – a calm, flexible system.
• Pawn opening (仙人指路): Red advances the third or seventh soldier to open a path for the horse and test Black’s plan.

Opening principles

• Get the chariots out early. A Chinese saying warns: “Three moves without moving a chariot, and you will lose.”
• Develop horses toward the centre and keep their legs free.
• Protect your central soldier; it is the first target of an enemy cannon.
• Don’t move the same piece repeatedly in the opening without a reason.

Six classic checkmates

1. Horse and cannon (马后炮): a horse controls the general’s escape squares while a cannon behind it delivers check along the file.
2. Double chariot (双车错): two chariots take turns checking on neighbouring files until the general runs out of room.
3. Iron bolt (铁门栓): a cannon on the central file locks the general in place, and a chariot breaks in through the side file of the palace.
4. Double cannon (重炮): two cannons on the same file; the front one is the screen for the back one, and the general cannot escape.
5. Horse in the corner (卧槽马): a horse lands two points in front of the general’s corner and checks, often supported by a chariot.
6. Smothered general (闷宫): the general is boxed in by its own advisors and a cannon delivers mate.

Endgame tips

• A chariot alone usually beats a defence with only advisors or only elephants.
• Keep your general active: it can control a file and support attacks thanks to the flying general rule.
• Soldiers that reach the enemy palace are dangerous; trade pieces when you have more soldiers across the river.

Practise these patterns in Chinese Chess.