Xiangqi

Xiangqi is a strategic board game played by two people.

It is the most popular board game in China. People also play it frequently in Vietnam. In Vietnam, the game is known as cờ tướng. This name translates to "General's chess." This name contrasts with Western chess, which is sometimes called "King's chess." The game simulates a battle between two massive armies. The primary objective is to checkmate the opposing general.

The game belongs to a large family of strategy games. This family includes shogi, janggi, Western chess, and chaturanga.

The game is played on a specific grid.

The board consists of ten horizontal ranks and nine vertical files. Unlike Western chess, pieces are placed on the intersections. These intersections are called points. Two special zones exist on the board called palaces. These are three-by-three areas located at each end. A central area called the river divides the two sides. The river is often marked with phrases referring to the Chu–Han War. The river affects piece movement in two ways. Soldiers gain better moves after crossing it. However, elephants are forbidden from crossing the river.

Each player manages an army of 16 pieces.

These pieces are usually flat, circular disks. They feature Chinese characters to identify the piece type. Most sets use red and black to distinguish the sides. Traditional sets often use Chinese characters rather than simplified ones. Materials for pieces vary widely based on cost. Common sets use plastic or wood. Expensive sets might be carved from jade.

Historically, players used simple unpainted woodcarvings. This allowed them to play even without coloring materials. The oldest discovered xiangqi piece is a chariot. This artifact is currently held in the Three Gorges Museum.

The general is the most important piece.

The black side calls this piece the "general." The red side calls it the "marshal." The general must stay within the palace. It moves one point orthogonally, which means up, down, left, or right. There is a special rule called the "flying general" move. If two generals face each other on a file with no pieces between them, one can capture the other. Historically, the name was changed from "king" to avoid royal naming taboos. Some sources say an emperor once punished people for using royal titles in games.

Other pieces have very specific roles and movements.

The advisors, or guards, move one point diagonally. They are also confined to the palace. The elephants move exactly two points diagonally. They cannot jump over other pieces. If a piece blocks an elephant's path, it is called "blocking the elephant's eye."

The horse moves one point orthogonally and then one point diagonally. This is described as being like the character "Ri." Unlike the Western knight, the horse can be blocked. This is known as "hobbling the horse's leg."

The chariot is the strongest piece. It can move any distance orthogonally without jumping.

The cannon is unique because it must jump over exactly one piece to capture an enemy.

Winning the game requires careful calculation.

A player wins by delivering a checkmate. Check occurs when a general is threatened by an imminent capture. If the player cannot prevent this, it is checkmate. In xiangqi, a stalemate results in a loss for the player with no moves. This differs from the draw rule in Western chess. The game also includes rules to prevent endless cycles. Players cannot perform perpetual checks with a single piece. They also cannot engage in perpetual chases of unprotected pieces. These rules ensure the battle eventually reaches a conclusion.

Xiangqi connects to many cultural and historical ideas. The board's layout reflects ancient Chinese warfare and geography. The names of the pieces and the river reference the Chu–Han War. The game's mechanics, like the cannon's jump, create a distinct tactical experience. It requires players to manage space, such as the palace and the river. By understanding these rules, players engage with a deep tradition of strategy. The game remains a vital part of social life in many communities today.