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Xiangqi guides, openings, endgames and strategy

How to play, the openings worth learning, the endings worth knowing, and the history and people behind the game — the Chinese chess library, free.

How Every Xiangqi Piece Moves: General, Chariot, Cannon, Horse and More

A clear guide to how xiangqi pieces move: General, Advisor, Elephant, Horse, Chariot, Cannon, and Soldier, plus the blocking tricks beginners miss.

Coach Aisha Rahman Jun 24, 2026 8 min read

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Every article in the library, sorted into the topic it belongs to.

Guides52 articles

Xiangqi guides

Rules, piece guides, board setup and the beginner mistakes worth skipping.

Openings27 articles

Xiangqi openings

The Central Cannon, the Screen Horse and every major system, with the ideas behind the moves.

Strategy51 articles

Xiangqi strategy and tactics

Middlegame plans, tactics and calculation: attacking the palace and defending it.

Endgames25 articles

Xiangqi endgames

Book endings, fortresses, and the technique that converts a won game.

History4 articles

History of Xiangqi

Two thousand years of the game, from its origins to the professional era.

Players11 articles

Xiangqi players

The champions and characters of Chinese chess, past and present.

Culture30 articles

Xiangqi culture

The game in parks, teahouses and daily life across China, Vietnam and the diaspora.

Tournaments4 articles

Xiangqi tournaments

Reports and standings from the events that matter.

Product2 articles

Product updates

What's new on XiangqiPlay.

Latest

Recent articles

206 articles across 12 pages, newest first.

World Xiangqi Championship: Every Champion Since 1990

The World Xiangqi Championship explained: who runs it, how it is played, and every men's and women's champion from Singapore 1990 to Shanghai 2025.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

The Best Xiangqi Players of All Time and Their Records

Who are the best xiangqi players of all time? Twelve champions, from Hu Ronghua and Lü Qin to Tang Dan and Lại Lý Huynh, with their verified titles.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

Lai Ly Huynh: Vietnam's First Xiangqi World Champion

Lai Ly Huynh (Lại Lý Huynh) became the first non-Chinese men's xiangqi world champion in 2025. His background, his titles and the road to Shanghai.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

Who Invented Xiangqi? Legends, Evidence and History

Who invented xiangqi? No single person. The legends of Shennong and Han Xin, the Tang-dynasty evidence, the chaturanga link and the Song-era game.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 7m

Best Sites to Play Xiangqi Online: A Fair Comparison

The best sites to play xiangqi online, compared from each site's own pages: computer levels, puzzles, apps, languages and whether you need an account.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 7m

PlayOK Xiangqi Alternative: Where Else to Play

Looking for a PlayOK xiangqi alternative? What PlayOK offers by its own pages, who it suits, and which sites add bots, puzzles, lessons or apps.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 5m

Xiangqi Match Fixing Scandal: Bans, Trials and Fallout

The xiangqi match fixing scandal: how a 2023 recording led to lifetime bans for Wang Tianyi and Wang Yuefei, prison sentences and 49 disciplined players.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 5m

Online Xiangqi Tournaments: How Swiss and Knockout Work

How online xiangqi tournaments work: Swiss, knockout and arena formats, time controls, pairings and tiebreaks, plus how XiangqiPlay runs its own events.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 5m

How to Beat the Xiangqi Computer, Level by Level

How to beat the xiangqi computer on XiangqiPlay: what really changes from Easy to God, and a practical plan for each level, from loose pieces to reviews.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

Xiangqi Time Controls Explained: Bullet to Classical

Xiangqi time controls explained: bullet, blitz, rapid and classical, how increments work, how the clock changes your play, and what XiangqiPlay offers.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 5m

Xiangqi Rules Cheat Sheet: Every Rule on One Page

A xiangqi rules cheat sheet on one page: board and setup, how every piece moves and gets blocked, check, the flying general, stalemate, repetition, draws.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

Xiangqi Training Plan: 30 Days From Rules to Review

A realistic 30-day xiangqi training plan: rules and piece safety, basic mates, openings, tactics, endgames and game review, using free guides and puzzles.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

Do Soldiers Promote in Xiangqi? What Happens Instead

Do soldiers promote in xiangqi? No. What a soldier can do on the last rank, why the old soldier (老兵) is weak, and why advanced soldiers still win games.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 5m

Golden Hook Horse in Xiangqi: The 金钩马 Checkmate

Golden hook horse xiangqi mate (金钩马): a Chariot sacrifice drags the centre Advisor away, then the Horse checks from the palace corner.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 7m

Angler Horse in Xiangqi: How the 钓鱼马 Mate Works

The angler horse xiangqi mate (钓鱼马) uses a Horse just outside the palace to cover a corner and the centre while a Chariot checks. Verified examples.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

Eight Corner Horse in Xiangqi: The 八角马 Checkmate

The eight corner horse xiangqi mate (八角马): a Horse on one palace corner freezes the General on the opposite corner, and a Chariot finishes.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 5m

Tiger Silhouette Checkmate in Xiangqi: The 侧面虎 Mate

The tiger silhouette checkmate (侧面虎) puts a Horse on the enemy soldier rank to box in the General while a Chariot checks. Engine-verified examples.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

Flanking Trio in Xiangqi: Three Pieces, One Wing (三子归边)

Flanking trio xiangqi attacks (三子归边) gather a Chariot, Horse and Cannon on one wing of the palace. See why three pieces win, with a verified mate.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

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How to play Xiangqi Central Cannon Cờ Tướng Screen Horse Endgames Wang Tianyi Hu Ronghua Xiangqi vs Chess Openings Puzzles

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