How to play Xiangqi
Move on intersections. Red starts. Win by checkmate or by leaving the opponent without a legal move.
- Players
- 2
- Seats
- Human, AI only, or AI allowing human takeover
How to play
The general moves one point orthogonally inside its palace. Advisors move one diagonal point inside the palace. Generals cannot face along an empty file.
Elephants move two diagonal points, cannot cross the river and are blocked at the midpoint. Horses move in an L and are blocked at their first orthogonal step.
Chariots slide orthogonally. Cannons slide without capture, but capture over exactly one intervening piece. Soldiers advance one point; after crossing the river they may also move sideways, never backward.
Check must be answered. Threefold repetition draws unless one side checks throughout the repeating cycle; that checker loses. This table uses a 120-ply quiet limit and does not adjudicate tournament perpetual-chase categories.
Seats and spectators
Configure each other seat when creating a table. Waiting human seats delay the deal until filled. AI seats allow human takeover by default: open Watch, then Join seat. You inherit the current position and hand. AI only keeps the computer in that seat.
Beginner strategy
- Consider what the other players can play before committing your strongest piece or tile.
- Use the highlighted legal moves, and keep an eye on the current player and score.