Chinese Chess - Xiangqi

Xiangqi, also known as Chinese Chess, is a fascinating and strategic board game that has been played for centuries. The board is a bit different from Western chess — it’s made up of 9 vertical lines and 10 horizontal lines, with pieces placed and moved on the intersections rather than inside squares. In the middle, there’s a river dividing the two sides, adding unique twists to the game’s strategy. Each player controls 16 pieces, with distinct types like Generals, Advisors, Elephants, Horses, Chariots, Cannons, and Soldiers.

Each piece has its own way of moving and capturing, and some have special rules. For instance, Generals must stay inside a 3x3 area called the palace, and they can never face each other directly without something blocking the view. Soldiers get stronger once they cross the river, and Cannons have a clever way of capturing by jumping over other pieces.

Basic Rules

The player with the red pieces always starts first.

Each turn, a player moves one piece according to how that type moves.

Pieces move and capture on the intersections.

The General must stay within a 3x3 palace zone on each player's side.

Generals can never face each other directly without any piece between them.

Cannons have a special capture rule where they jump over exactly one piece to capture an enemy.

Soldiers (like pawns) gain more freedom of movement once they cross the river.

You win by checkmating your opponent’s General.

How Pieces Move

General: Moves one point in any vertical or horizontal direction within the palace.

Advisor: Moves one point diagonally inside the palace.

Elephant: Moves exactly two points diagonally but cannot cross the river.

Horse: Moves one point orthogonally and then one point diagonally outward, but can be blocked.

Chariot: Moves any number of points horizontally or vertically.

Cannon: Moves like Chariot but captures by jumping over a single piece.

Soldier: Moves one point forward, and after crossing the river, can also move sideways.