Xiangqi: Chinese chess
53Playhop rating
About game
Xiangqi, also referred to as Chinese chess or elephant chess, is a two-player board game that requires strategy.
Xiangqi is played on a grid that consists of nine rows and ten columns. Similar to the game Go, the pieces are positioned on the intersections of the lines, known as points.
The objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent's general (king), symbolizing a battle between two armies. Xiangqi has unique features such as the cannon (pao), which must jump to capture, and a rule that prohibits the generals from facing each other directly. Additionally, there are specific areas on the board called the river and palace, which limit the movement of some pieces but enhance that of others. Another distinctive aspect is the positioning of the pieces on the intersections, rather than within the squares of the grid.
Each player controls an army of 16 pieces, typically colored red and black. The army composition includes:
1 General (or king)
2 Advisors (assistants)
2 Elephants
2 Horses (or knights)
2 Chariots (or rooks or cars)
2 Cannons
5 Soldiers (or pawns)
How to play
Playing Xiangqi is a breeze, despite all the special symbols and other intricacies involved – especially if you already know the basic rules of chess. You win the game by putting your opponent's king in a position where it's under attack and cannot escape, known as checkmate or if the board position results in a situation where the player whose turn it is to move has no legal move but is not in checkmated, known as stalemate. Unlike Western chess, in Xiangqi a stalemate results in you winning the game. Kings cannot stand in the same column as each other; there needs to be at least one other piece between them in the same vertical line. The river acts like a visual separator between the two sides of the board. Its presence affects only two things: soldiers can move more freely after crossing the river, and elephants are not allowed to cross it. There are 3x3 squares marked with two diagonal lines, called palaces or fortresses. Generals and advisers have to stay inside these squares. Cannons move like chess rooks, but they can only capture enemy pieces if there is exactly one piece between the cannon and the piece being attacked, which is called a screen. This rule makes cannons unique and strategic. For a deeper understanding of each piece, check out the detailed descriptions available inside the game.Game info
Age rating
0+
Platforms
Authorization support
Yes
Localization
Chinese, Turkish, Russian, English
Screen orientation
Release date
Cloud saves
Yes
Categories
Players say
Inspired by the Chinese spirit of the game and rules
Pleasant design and unobtrusive music
The game evokes positive emotions
Provides mental activity
Suitable for those who can play chess.
Symmetrical chess for perfectionists