Chinese chess
Xiangqi is Chinese chess: trap the general, but mind the river, palace and cannons.
Three rules Western players trip over
Play on the lines
Pieces sit on the intersections, not in squares. The general and advisors stay inside the 3 by 3 palace.
Respect the river
Elephants can never cross it. Soldiers move only forward until they cross, then they may step sideways too.
Watch the cannon and horse
A cannon captures only by jumping exactly one piece. A horse is blocked if a piece stands right beside it in its path.
A gentleman watches the game in silence.
Choosing a set
Chinese chess
Hand-picked pieces are on the way.
Good to know
How is Chinese chess different from regular chess?
Xiangqi has a river, a palace and cannons, and pieces move on lines. There is no queen. A stalemated player loses rather than draws.
What are the basic rules of Chinese chess?
Red moves first and players take turns. Pieces move on lines, and you win by checkmating the general. The two generals may never face each other on an open line.
How do you read Chinese chess pieces?
Each disc carries one Chinese character. The two sides often write the same piece differently: red's general is 帅, black's is 将.
