Start the round
Look at the Xiangqi game above. If you see a start, play, or new game button, press it first.
Chinese Chess
Xiangqi
Play the ancient Chinese strategy game with unique pieces and the river divide
Games: 0 | Wins: 0
Moves: 0
Click Start Game to play Xiangqi!
楚河 ─── 漢界
車
馬
象
士
將
士
象
馬
車
砲
砲
卒
卒
卒
卒
卒
兵
兵
兵
兵
兵
炮
炮
車
馬
相
仕
帥
仕
相
馬
車
Click a red piece to select, then click a green square to move.
Red pieces are yours, black pieces are AI opponent.
About Xiangqi
Xiangqi, known as Chinese Chess, is one of the most popular board games in China and has been played for over a millennium. It is estimated that more people play Xiangqi than any other board game in the world.
The game is played on a board with intersecting lines, where pieces are placed on the intersections rather than within squares. A distinctive feature is the "river" that divides the board, which affects how certain pieces move and creates strategic depth.
The unique pieces like the Cannon (which must jump over a piece to capture) and the movement restrictions of the General and Elephant make Xiangqi a rich strategic experience different from Western chess.
How to Play Xiangqi
1
Select Your Piece
Click on any red piece to select it. Valid moves will be highlighted in green on the board.
2
Move or Capture
Click on a green highlighted position to move. If an enemy piece is there, you capture it.
3
Use the River
Remember: Elephants can't cross the river, but Soldiers gain sideways movement after crossing it.
4
Checkmate the General
Capture the opponent's General (將) to win. Protect your General (帥) at all costs!
Tips & Strategies
- •Develop your Chariots early - they are the most powerful pieces
- •Use Cannons for long-range attacks - position pieces for them to jump over
- •Advance your Soldiers across the river to gain sideways mobility
- •Keep your Elephants and Advisors to protect your General
- •Watch for the "flying general" - Generals cannot face each other directly
Why Play Xiangqi?
Ancient Heritage
Over 1,000 years of strategic tradition
Unique Mechanics
River, Cannons, and palace restrictions
World's Most Played
Billions of players worldwide
Sharp Tactical Play
Fast-paced with decisive games
Xiangqi, also known as Chinese Chess, is a two-player strategy board game that originated in China over 1,000 years ago. It's played on a 10x9 board with a river dividing the two sides, and features unique pieces like the Cannon and Elephant.
Each piece has unique movements: General moves one step orthogonally within the palace, Advisor moves diagonally within the palace, Elephant moves two steps diagonally (can't cross river), Horse moves in an L-shape, Chariot moves like a rook in chess, Cannon moves like a chariot but must jump over one piece to capture, and Soldier moves forward (and sideways after crossing the river).
The river is the horizontal space between the 5th and 6th rows. It affects two pieces: Elephants cannot cross the river, and Soldiers gain the ability to move sideways after crossing it.
The palace is a 3x3 area in the center of each side (marked by diagonal lines). The General and Advisors must stay within their respective palace and cannot leave it.
The goal is to checkmate or capture the opponent's General. A General is in checkmate when it cannot escape being captured on the next move.