The pieces

Xiangqi looks familiar for about five minutes. Then your horse refuses to move, your cannon cannot capture the piece sitting right in front of it, and your general is stuck in a box. None of that is a bug. Each guide below explains one piece properly, with a board showing exactly where it can go.

Prefer it as a lesson? The rules tutorial walks through all seven on the board, step by step.

• 帥Generalshuài / jiàngHow the General moves, why it never leaves the palace, and the flying general rule that lets two Generals attack each other down an empty file.
• 仕AdvisorshìThe Advisor moves one point diagonally and never leaves the palace. Why this tiny piece decides whether your defence holds, and when it is worth more than material.
• 相ElephantxiàngThe Elephant moves two points diagonally, cannot cross the river, and is blocked by a piece in the middle of its path. How to use it and how to shut it down.
• 傌HorsemǎA xiangqi Horse moves one step straight then one diagonal, and any piece on that straight step blocks it. How hobbling works, and how to make your horses strong.
• 俥ChariotjūThe Chariot moves any distance along ranks and files, exactly like a rook. Why chariots decide xiangqi games, and what to do with yours in the first ten moves.
• 炮CannonpàoThe Cannon slides like a chariot but captures only by jumping exactly one piece. How the screen works, why cannons are strongest early, and the mates they deliver.
• 兵Soldierbīng / zúSoldiers step one point forward and never back, and gain sideways movement once they cross the river. How to use them, when to push them, and why there is no promotion.

Common questions

How many pieces does each side have in Chinese chess?

Sixteen: one General, two Advisors, two Elephants, two Horses, two Chariots, two Cannons and five Soldiers.

Which is the strongest piece in xiangqi?

The Chariot, which moves like a rook and is worth roughly two horses or two cannons. Most attacks are built around one.

What is the biggest difference from western chess pieces?

Three things. The Horse can be blocked and cannot jump, the Cannon captures only by leaping one piece, and the General and Advisors never leave the palace.

Do the pieces have different names for Red and Black?

Several do. Red's Elephant is 相 and Black's is 象, Red's General is 帥 and Black's is 將, and the Chariots and Cannons use different characters too. The pieces themselves are identical.

Once the pieces make sense, read the glossary for the words players use, pick an opening and then play a real game.