Perpetual chase
长捉 · cháng zhuō
Endlessly attacking the same undefended piece to force a repetition, which the rules also forbid.
Chasing means repeatedly threatening to capture a piece that cannot escape the cycle. Like perpetual check, it cannot be used to force a repetition: the chasing player must vary.
The details get intricate in tournament rulebooks, because chasing a defended piece, chasing with a soldier and chasing a General are all treated differently. The principle is simple though. You may not save a lost game by refusing to make progress.
The reason the rule exists is worth understanding. Xiangqi is designed so that a position which should be lost gets lost, rather than being rescued by an endless cycle that neither player can break.
In practice
When your opponent starts a chase, look for a defence to the chased piece rather than a way to run. A defended piece usually ends the cycle.
Related terms
- Perpetual check长将Checking the same position over and over to force a repetition, which is not allowed: the player giving perpetual check must vary or lose.
- Draw和棋A game that ends level, usually by agreement, by a position neither side can make progress in, or by the move limit.
- Repetition重复局面The same position occurring again and again, which is judged by who is forcing it rather than counted to an automatic draw.