Xiangqi 象棋

I recently played Xiangqi against a bot at beginner level and checkmated twice.

This game is the Chinese equivalent of Chess game. I find it interesting.

Here's a link where Chinese Chess can be played at any level without even an account.

Free Online Chinese Chess | Play Xiangqi

Xiangqi (Chinese: 象棋; pinyin: xiàngqí) is one of the most popular board game across the world. It is similar to International Chess in a certain extent, but also possesses lots of unique characteristics. This article covers the game rules, tactics, strategies and learning methods of Xiangqi for you to learn how to play Chinese Chess.

Pieces and its Values

There are 32 pieces in Xiangqi, which can be divided into two groups: red and black. The number (16) as well as the type (7) of pieces for both Red and Black are equal:

- General: --

- Chariot: 9

- Cannon: 4.5 (Opening) / 4 (Midgame and Endgame)

- Horse: 4 (Opening and Midgame) / 4.5 (Endgame)

- Advisor: 2

- Elephant: 2

- Soldier: 1 (Before crossing the river) / 2 (After crossed the river).

Offensive Pieces

Chariot 車／俥Horse 馬／傌
Cannon 炮／砲Soldier 兵／卒When it crosses the river, it captures sideways as well.
Defensive Pieces

Advisor 士／仕 and Elephant 相／象Advisors do not leave the palace. Elephant does not cross the river, Horse do.

General 帥／將 (it does not leave the palace as well)According to the flying general rule, when both generals are on the same file without any pieces in between, the general can “fly” to capture the opponent’s general.

Criteria of Victory
If one of the following occurs during a game, the player is won and the opponent is lost:

- Checkmated the opponent; 

- Stalemated the opponent; 

- The opponent is resigned

- The opponent’s timer is expired

Criteria of Draw
A game is ruled as a "draw" if any of the following occurs during the game:

- One player proposes a draw request and the other player agrees;

- Neither of the players has any attacking pieces left, and thus no one could win; 

- Drawn by no capture 

- Drawn by repetition

Move Limits

There are two main types of move-limits in Xiangqi to prohibit annoying series of moves in the game:

- Repetitive Check
“Check” means a move that can threaten the opponent’s General. A check pattern (all the moves made by one player are checking) repeating consecutively more than three times is prohibited.

- Repetitive Chase
“Chase” is a move that can threaten one or more opponent’s piece(s). A chase pattern (all the moves made by one player are chasing) repeating consecutively more than three times is prohibited.

That's all, folks.

Have fun and Happy New Year!