Xiangqi

Officially Xiangqi (Chinese Chess)

Ancient Chinese strategy board game played on a 9×10 grid with a central 'river' — pieces move on line intersections; goal is to checkmate the enemy General.

📐xiangqi board⏱~45 min🌤indoor

What is Xiangqi?

Xiangqi (象棋, 'elephant chess' or 'general's game') is a strategic Chinese board game and China's national board game — the most-played chess variant globally by number of players. Descended from the same ancient Indian chaturanga as Western chess (transmitted via Persia and Central Asia), xiangqi reached China by the 7th century CE. It's played on a 9×10 grid with pieces placed on line intersections (not squares) and a central 'river' (héng) dividing the two sides. Each side has 16 pieces: 1 General (Jiang/Shuai), 2 Advisors (Shi), 2 Elephants (Xiang/Bishop), 2 Horses (Ma), 2 Chariots (Ju/Rook), 2 Cannons (Pao), and 5 Soldiers (Bing/Zu). The General is confined to a 3×3 palace and cannot directly face the enemy General across an empty file (a unique 'flying general' rule). The Cannon is a distinctive piece that captures by 'jumping' over exactly one intervening piece. Xiangqi is played by an estimated 500+ million people worldwide, primarily in China and among the Chinese diaspora. Governing body: World Xiangqi Federation (WXF). Top competition: annual World Championship. Legendary players: Hu Ronghua (10× National Champion, 1960s-80s), Xu Yinchuan, Wang Tianyi.

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

Checkmate the opponent's General (Jiang or Shuai) — enemy General has no legal escape from attack.

Match structure

Players alternate moves. Red moves first (traditionally). Move one piece per turn following piece-specific rules. Game ends: checkmate, stalemate (loss for stalemated player), or resignation.

Rules

Basic rules

Piece placement on intersections
Unlike chess, pieces occupy line intersections (not squares) — hence 9×10 grid = 90 intersections.
General (Jiang/Shuai)
Confined to 3×3 palace at own side; moves 1 point orthogonally within palace only.
Flying General rule
The two Generals cannot face each other directly along an empty file — as if they could 'fly' and capture each other.
Advisor (Shi)
Moves 1 point diagonally within palace only (max 5 positions).
Elephant (Xiang)
Moves 2 points diagonally; cannot cross the river; cannot jump over an intervening piece (blocked by 'elephant's eye').
Horse (Ma)
Moves 1 orthogonal + 1 diagonal (like chess knight); blocked by piece on adjacent orthogonal position (unlike chess knight can jump — this one can't).
Chariot (Ju)
Moves any number of points orthogonally (like chess rook).
Cannon (Pao)
Moves like Chariot but captures ONLY by jumping over exactly one intervening piece (friend or foe).
Soldier (Bing/Zu)
Before crossing river: 1 point forward only. After crossing: 1 point forward OR sideways (never backward).
Checkmate = win
Standard chess-like checkmate ends the game.

Advanced rules

Perpetual check / chase rule
Continuously checking or chasing = loss for perpetual side (unlike Western chess where it's draw).
Stalemate = loss
If your side has no legal move (not just no legal escape from check) = you lose.
Draw by repetition
3× same position = draw (with exceptions for perpetual check).
Threefold repetition assessment
Referee assesses whether repetition is by mutual accord (draw) or perpetual chase (perpetual side loses).
Chinese notation
Traditional notation uses piece + starting file + direction + ending file/rank.

Scoring

Win/loss/draw. Checkmate = win; stalemate = loss for stalemated player.

Action	Points
Checkmate	Instant win
Stalemate	Loss for stalemated player (unique vs chess)
Resignation	Losing player concedes
Time forfeit	Loss
Perpetual check by same side	Loss for perpetual checker
3× repetition (mutual)	Draw

Win condition · Checkmate opponent General, force resignation, or opponent stalemates or forfeits.

Playing area

Called

xiangqi board

Dimensions

9×10 grid; pieces on 90 line intersections; board typically ~40×45 cm.

Rectangular board with 9 files × 10 ranks. Center row = 'river' (héng). 3×3 palace at each side with diagonal lines for Generals + Advisors.

Equipment

Board (棋盤)
9×10 grid with river + palaces marked.
32 pieces (16 per side)
Circular discs with Chinese characters. Red vs Black (or Green). 1 Jiang/Shuai (General), 2 Shi (Advisor), 2 Xiang (Elephant), 2 Ma (Horse), 2 Ju (Chariot), 2 Pao (Cannon), 5 Bing/Zu (Soldier).
Piece stand + storage box
Optional for pro play.

Officiating

WXF rules; annotator records move-by-move for grandmaster events.

Referee (Cai Pan)
Kifu recorder
Timekeeper

Strategies

Central Cannon opening
Most popular opening — Cannon to central file threatens double attack.
Screen Horse defense
Classical response to Central Cannon — Horses defend Palace.
Fei Xiang (Flying Elephant)
Elephants defend Palace + control diagonals.
Chariot infiltration
Chariots are strongest piece — infiltrate opponent's back ranks.
Cannon behind pieces
Cannons need a 'platform' (piece to jump over) — position behind own pawns/horses.

Terminology

Jiang / Shuai: General (Red = Shuai, Black = Jiang) — the King equivalent.
Shi (Advisor): Diagonal-moving piece confined to palace.
Xiang / Elephant: 2-diagonal moving piece; cannot cross river.
Ma (Horse): L-shape; can be blocked (unlike chess knight).
Ju (Chariot): Rook-equivalent; most powerful piece.
Pao (Cannon): Rook-move but captures only by jumping.
Bing / Zu (Soldier): Pawn — moves forward, gains sideways after crossing river.
River (Héng): Central line — Elephants cannot cross; Soldiers change movement after crossing.
Palace: 3×3 area with diagonal lines; General + Advisors confined.
Flying General: Rule: two Generals cannot face directly across empty file.
Perpetual check: Continuously checking = loss (perpetual checker loses).
Chan Xun: Chinese notation system for moves.

Major competitions

World Xiangqi Championship
biennial · worldwide · since 1990
Chinese Xiangqi National Championship
annual · China · since 1956
Asian Xiangqi Championship
biennial · Asia · since 1980
Wumianshan Cup (China's most prestigious)
annual · China
Asian Games (xiangqi)
since 2010 · Asia

Where it is played

Governing bodies

World Xiangqi FederationWXF
Founded 1993 · Beijing, China
Official site ↗
Chinese Xiangqi Association
Founded 1956 · Beijing, China
Asian Xiangqi Federation
Founded 1978 · Singapore

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Hu Ronghua (China, 1945-2016) — 10× National Champion (1960-80s); considered GOAT
Xu Yinchuan (China) — 5× National Champion
Wang Tianyi (China) — 2× World Champion
Zhao Xinxin (China) — Multiple world championship
Yang Guanlin (China, 1935-2003) — 3× National Champion
Xie Jing (China) — Women's dominant player
Yu Youhua (Taiwan) — Multi-decade champion
Trang Yun Man (Vietnam) — Vietnam's greatest

Records

Most Chinese National Championships
Hu Ronghua — 10 (1960-1980s) (1985)
Most estimated players worldwide
Xiangqi — 500+ million (2024)
Oldest professional player (still active)
Various — 80+ in some regional events (2024)

Learn this sport

beginner

1
Learn piece movements
Distinct from Western chess — takes 30-60 min to internalise.
2
Central Cannon opening
Master basic opening structure both sides.
3
Play online (Play Xiangqi)
playxiangqi.com or similar apps for global play.

intermediate

1
Study endgames
K + 2 Advisors + 2 Elephants vs K theory foundational.
2
Local club
Chinese cultural centers in major cities host xiangqi clubs.

advanced

1
WXF national tournaments
Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese federations.
2
World Xiangqi Championship
Biennial event; open to all federations.

Frequently asked

What's the difference between xiangqi and chess?+

Xiangqi: 9×10 board, pieces on intersections, central river, palace for General/Advisors, unique Cannon (captures by jumping), Horse can be blocked. Chess: 8×8 board, pieces on squares, no palace/river, no cannon, knight jumps freely. Both descend from Indian chaturanga.

How popular is xiangqi?+

500+ million players worldwide — the most-played chess variant globally by number of players. Popular in China (national game), Vietnam (2nd-most popular sport there), Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Chinese diaspora communities worldwide.

Who is the greatest xiangqi player?+

Hu Ronghua (China, 1945-2016) — 10× National Champion in the 1960s-80s, considered the GOAT. Modern era: Wang Tianyi (2× World Champion), Xu Yinchuan (5× National Champion).

How does the Cannon work?+

Cannon moves like a Rook (any number orthogonally) — but CAPTURES only by jumping over exactly one intervening piece (either color). Without jumping, cannot capture. Unique piece to xiangqi and its variants.

What's the 'flying general' rule?+

The two Generals cannot face each other directly along an empty file — as if they could 'fly across' and capture each other. This creates unique tactical patterns not in Western chess.

Is xiangqi in the Asian Games?+

Yes — xiangqi has been an Asian Games medal event since 2010 (Guangzhou), joined by go and chess as mind-sport events.

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-24.community