What Is Xiangqi?
Xiangqi (象棋, pronounced shyang-chee) translates to "Elephant Chess" and has been played in China for over 1,500 years. The game is played on a 9×10 board divided by a River at the centre — a feature unique to Xiangqi that restricts how certain pieces can cross.
Two players — Red and Black — command armies of 16 pieces each. Red always moves first. The goal is to checkmate the opponent's General: threaten it so it cannot escape on the next move.
Did you know? Xiangqi is estimated to have more active players worldwide than any other board game, including international Chess.
Unlike Western chess, Xiangqi pieces are identified by Chinese characters written on round discs. Red and Black use different characters for the same piece type — for example, Red's general is 帥 (Shuai, "Marshal") and Black's is 將 (Jiàng, "General").
The Board and Setup
The board has 10 rows × 9 columns. Pieces are placed on the intersections of lines, not in squares. Each half of the board contains:
- A Palace — a 3×3 marked area where the General and Advisors are confined.
- A River separating the two halves (between rows 5 and 6).
- Cannon platforms and soldier markers along the starting rows.
Red starts at rows 8–10, Black at rows 1–3 (with setup being a mirror image of Red's).
All 7 Piece Types
General (King)
Moves one step orthogonally within the Palace. The two Generals may never face each other directly along a file with no pieces between them — the "Flying General" rule.
Advisor (Guard)
Moves one step diagonally and must stay within the Palace. Two per side, these pieces protect the General.
Elephant (Bishop)
Moves exactly two steps diagonally. Cannot cross the River and is blocked if a piece sits on the midpoint of its path ("blocking the elephant's eye").
Horse (Knight)
Moves one step orthogonally, then one step diagonally — like an L-shape, but can be blocked at the first step ("hobbling the horse's leg").
Chariot (Rook)
The most powerful piece. Moves any number of steps in a straight line, like the Rook in Western chess. Two per side.
Cannon
Moves like the Chariot — but captures by jumping over exactly one piece (a "screen") to land on the target. Unique to Xiangqi.
Soldier (Pawn)
Before crossing the River: moves one step forward only. After crossing: can also move one step sideways. Cannot move backward. Five per side.
Key Rules That Make Xiangqi Unique
Cannon Screen
The Cannon becomes dangerous only when one exact screen piece sits between it and the capture target. Without that single intervening piece, it attacks like a straight-moving threat but cannot complete the capture.
The Flying General Rule
The two Generals can never be on the same file (column) with no pieces between them — even if neither is moving. This creates an invisible "laser" between them that restricts play significantly, especially in the endgame.
Perpetual Check
A player who perpetually checks the opponent's General without offering a meaningful position change loses the game. This anti-repetition rule rewards decisive play.
No Promotion
Soldiers that reach the opponent's back rank do not promote. A Soldier that has crossed the River simply gains sideways movement and remains a Soldier.
Stalemate is a Loss
Unlike Western chess, if a player has no legal move on their turn it is a loss, not a draw. This means trapping the General with no legal retreat is a valid winning strategy even without delivering check.
Opening Strategies for Beginners
Strong openings in Xiangqi revolve around controlling the centre and activating Chariots early. Here are three beginner-friendly setups:
- Central Cannon Opening — Move a Cannon to the central file (e5). This is the most popular opening in professional play and prepares aggressive pressure on the opponent's Palace.
- Screen Horse Defence — Respond to Central Cannon by advancing a Horse to screen it. This flexible defence allows solid development.
- Elbow Cannon — Place a Cannon on the third file, flanking the centre. Excellent for players who prefer positional manoeuvring over immediate tactical confrontation.
Tip: Activate your Chariots within the first five moves whenever possible. A Chariot stuck behind your own lines is the most common mistake for beginners.
Tactics to Learn First
The Double Chariot Attack
Two Chariots connected on the same file or rank create an unstoppable threat. Once doubled, they can "roll up" the opponent's position one piece at a time.
Cannon + Cannon Battery
Stacking two Cannons so one screens the other doubles the Cannon's effective attack range. The front Cannon acts as the screen; the back one fires through it.
Hobbling the Horse
If you can place a piece on the square directly adjacent to an enemy Horse's current position, the Horse cannot legally move in the direction you're blocking. This is often a decisive positional advantage.
Skewer and Fork
Like Western chess, skewers (attacking a valuable piece to expose a weaker one behind it) and forks (one piece attacking two at once) are fundamental tactics. The Cannon and Chariot excel at skewers; the Horse and Cannon create deadly forks.
Ready to Cross the River?
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Play River of War →Xiangqi vs. Western Chess: Key Differences
- River — A boundary that restricts Elephants and changes Soldier movement. No equivalent in Western chess.
- Palace confinement — General and Advisors cannot leave their 3×3 Palace. Western Kings move freely.
- Cannon's capture rule — Requires a screen piece. Western chess has no equivalent piece.
- Stalemate is a loss — In Western chess it is a draw.
- No pawn promotion — Soldiers gain a sideways step but never become stronger pieces.
- No castling, en passant, or draw by material — Xiangqi has fewer draw-inducing mechanisms, making decisive results more common.
Further Resources
To deepen your Xiangqi knowledge, the following resources are widely respected in the community:
- Xiangqi on Wikipedia — Comprehensive overview of history, rules, and notable players.
- The interactive tutorial inside River of War — Step-by-step guided moves to learn all pieces in context.
- The Rules panel in the River of War sidebar — Quick-reference guide to every piece's movement while you play.