Dive into the world of chess with a unique twist, inspired by the legendary Three Kingdoms era. This engaging chess game not only challenges you with various modes of gameplay but also allows you to conquer all levels, face off against all heroes, and quickly master chess endgames. Originating in China, Xiangqi is a popular two-player strategy game with a rich history. Its simple yet captivating pieces have made it a beloved pastime across the globe.

Chess Pieces

Xiangqi features thirty-two pieces, split evenly into red and black teams, with each team comprising sixteen pieces across seven different types. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

• Red Chess Pieces: 1 Handsome, 2 Rooks, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 2 Phases, 2 Shi, 5 Soldiers
• Black Chess Pieces: 1 General, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 2 Elephants, 2 Taxis, 5 Pawns

Handsome/General

The "Handsome" represents the red side, while the "General" symbolizes the black side. These leaders are the focal points of the game, restricted to movement within the "nine palaces." They can move one square vertically or horizontally but cannot face each other directly on the same line, or the side that moves will lose.

Shi/Taxis

The red "Shi" and black "Taxis" are also confined to the nine palaces, moving diagonally one square at a time.

Phase/Elephant

The red "Phase" and black "Elephant" move diagonally two squares at a time, a move known as "flying the field." Their movement is restricted to their side of the "river boundary" and is blocked if a piece occupies the center of their path, a situation called "plugging the elephant's eye."

Rook (Jū)

The rook is the most powerful piece, moving any number of squares along a vertical or horizontal line, known as "driving straight." It can control up to seventeen points, hence the saying, "one rook equals ten pieces."

Cannon

The cannon moves like the rook when not capturing but must jump over another piece to capture, a tactic called "firing over a screen" or "over the mountain."

Horse

The horse moves in an "L" shape, known as "walking the day." It can reach eight points around it, embodying "eight directions of majesty." However, its path can be blocked, a scenario referred to as "tripping the horse's leg."

Soldiers/Pawns

The red "Soldiers" and black "Pawns" move forward only, unable to retreat or move sideways before crossing the river. After crossing, they gain the ability to move left or right but still only one square at a time. This enhances their power, leading to the saying, "small pawns crossing the river can top a rook."

Players take turns moving their pieces, embodying the strategic principles from Sun Tzu's Art of War, aiming to "checkmate" or "trap" the opponent's General (Handsome). The red side moves first, and the game continues until a win, loss, or draw is determined. Through Xiangqi, players can enhance their cognitive skills by navigating the complexities of attack and defense, feints, and overall strategy.