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Xiangqi guides

How to play Xiangqi from the first move: the rules, every piece explained, board setup, notation, and the beginner mistakes worth skipping.

52 articles

Guides

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 RahmanJun 24, 2026 8m

Guides

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

Guides

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

Guides

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

Guides

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

Guides

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

Guides

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

Guides

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

Guides

Handicap Xiangqi: Giving Pieces and Moves (让子)

Handicap xiangqi explained: giving a horse, two horses, a cannon or a chariot, the iron soldier and forest chariot rules, and how to give extra moves.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 6m

Guides

Xiangqi Notation: FEN, WXF and Coordinates Explained

Xiangqi notation FEN guide: how engines like Pikafish encode a position, how WXF moves such as C2=5 work, and how a to i coordinates differ, with examples.

XiangqiPlay TeamOct 1, 2026 7m

Guides

Chinese Chess Set Buying Guide: Pieces, Boards and Sizes

How to choose a Chinese chess set: what a complete set contains, which piece materials and sizes to pick, and how to match the pieces to the right board.

XiangqiPlay TeamSep 30, 2026 7m

Guides

Blindfold Xiangqi: How to Play and Train Without a Board

Blindfold xiangqi (盲棋) means playing with no board in sight. Learn how moves are called, how blindfold simuls work, and a plan to build your board vision.

XiangqiPlay TeamSep 30, 2026 5m

Guides

Xiangqi Perpetual Chase: The Repetition Rules Explained

Xiangqi perpetual chase (长捉) is forbidden, just like perpetual check. Learn what counts as a chase, what is allowed, and who must change the move.

XiangqiPlay TeamSep 30, 2026 7m

Guides

Chinese Chess Piece Names: Characters, Pinyin and English

Chinese chess piece names explained: Red and Black characters, pinyin, meanings, and English and Vietnamese names for all seven xiangqi pieces.

XiangqiPlay TeamSep 30, 2026 6m

Guides

Illegal Moves in Xiangqi: Every Rule You Must Know

Illegal moves in xiangqi explained: palace limits, the flying general, blocked horses and elephants, cannon screens, and forbidden repetitions.

XiangqiPlay TeamSep 30, 2026 7m

Guides

Xiangqi Board Setup: Starting Position and the River Explained

Learn the correct Xiangqi (象棋 / Chinese Chess) board setup: the 9×10 grid, the river, the palace, and exactly where every piece starts so you can set up a game with confidence.

Mei LinJun 22, 2026 7m

Guides

5 Checkmate Patterns Every Xiangqi Beginner Should Know

Five essential Xiangqi (象棋 / Chinese Chess) checkmate patterns for beginners, from the Chariot back-rank mate to the deadly flying general finish, with clear explanations of how each one works.

Mr. Tan WeiJun 19, 2026 9m

Guides

How to Read Xiangqi Notation: A Simple Guide for Beginners

Xiangqi (象棋 / Chinese Chess) notation looks cryptic but follows simple rules. Learn how to read files, piece names, and the forward, backward, and sideways move symbols so you can study games with ease.

Daniel OkaforJun 16, 2026 7m

Guides

Xiangqi vs Western Chess: 8 Key Differences Every Player Should Know

Xiangqi vs chess, from someone who plays both: what actually changes when you switch — the river, the palace, the leaping cannon, and the feel of the fight.

FM Elena PetrovaJun 13, 2026 9m

Guides

10 Common Xiangqi Mistakes Beginners Make (and How to Fix Them)

Avoid the 10 most common Xiangqi (象棋 / Chinese Chess) beginner mistakes — from neglecting development to exposing your General — with practical fixes that will instantly raise your level of play.

Coach Aisha RahmanJun 10, 2026 9m

Guides

The Flying General Rule in Xiangqi, Explained with Examples

The flying general rule is one of Xiangqi's most important and misunderstood rules. Learn exactly why the two Generals can never face each other, with clear examples and how to use it to win games.

Mr. Tan WeiJun 7, 2026 7m

Guides

How Xiangqi Titles and Rankings Work in China

Confused by Xiangqi titles and rankings? This guide explains how competitive Chinese Chess is organized in China, what it means to be a grandmaster, and how 象棋 players climb the ladder to the top.

Mei LinFeb 6, 2026 7m

Guides

Cờ Tướng Terms: A Vietnamese–English Xiangqi Glossary

Learn the essential Vietnamese vocabulary of Cờ Tướng, from Xe and Pháo to chiếu tướng and chiếu bí. This handy glossary bridges Vietnamese and English for every Xiangqi player.

GM Lê MinhDec 10, 2025 7m

Guides

Xiangqi for Chess Players: What Transfers and What Doesn't

Coming to Xiangqi from Western chess? Some skills transfer beautifully while others will trip you up. Here's an honest guide to what carries over and what you'll need to relearn.

FM Elena PetrovaDec 2, 2025 9m

Guides

How to Improve at Xiangqi Fast: A Practical Online Training Plan

To improve at xiangqi online, balance four things: a small opening repertoire, daily tactics, key endgames, and honest review of losses. Here's a plan that works.

Coach Aisha RahmanNov 22, 2025 9m

Guides

Xiangqi Ratings Explained: How Online Ranking Systems Work

What does your Xiangqi rating actually mean? This clear guide explains how online ranking systems work, how ratings change after games, and how to use them to improve.

Daniel OkaforNov 18, 2025 8m

Guides

The Cannon in Xiangqi: How to Master the Game's Trickiest Piece

How the xiangqi cannon really works: it slides like a rook but leaps one screen to capture, plus the hollow-cannon and horse-and-cannon mates that win games.

Coach Aisha RahmanFeb 3, 2026 9m

Guides

The Chariot in Xiangqi: Commanding the Most Powerful Piece

Master the xiangqi chariot, the strongest piece in Chinese chess. Learn its rook-like movement, open files, doubling, pins, and endgame dominance.

Coach Aisha RahmanFeb 10, 2026 8m

Guides

The Horse in Xiangqi: Movement, Tactics, and Traps

Understand the xiangqi horse: its knight-style leg move, the hobbling block, forks and outposts, plus how to trap an enemy horse in Chinese chess.

Mei LinFeb 17, 2026 8m

Guides

The Elephant in Xiangqi: Defensive Play Explained

Learn how the xiangqi elephant defends the palace: its 2-point diagonal move, the elephant's eye block, the river limit, and connected-elephant defense.

Mei LinFeb 24, 2026 7m

Guides

The Advisor in Xiangqi: Guarding the Palace

Discover how the xiangqi advisor guards the palace: its 1-point diagonal move, blocking chariot and cannon checks, and why a missing advisor is fatal.

Coach Aisha RahmanMar 3, 2026 7m

Guides

The Soldier in Xiangqi: From Pawn to Powerhouse

A complete guide to the xiangqi soldier (兵/卒): how it moves, why crossing the river changes everything, and how to turn humble pawns into winning weapons.

Mei LinMar 10, 2026 7m

Guides

The General in Xiangqi: Keeping Your King Safe

Everything about the xiangqi general (帥/將): how it moves inside the palace, the flying-general rule, and defensive ideas that keep your king safe and healthy.

Zhang WeiMar 17, 2026 7m

Guides

How to Win at Xiangqi: 12 Practical Tips for Better Results

Learn how to win at xiangqi with 12 practical tips covering the opening, piece coordination, king safety, and endgame technique for immediately better results.

Coach Aisha RahmanMar 24, 2026 9m

Guides

10 Xiangqi Tips That Will Improve Your Game Fast

Ten focused xiangqi tips to improve your game fast: sharpen your opening, coordinate pieces, avoid blunders, and build the endgame skills that win real games.

Zhang WeiMar 31, 2026 8m

Guides

How to Practice Xiangqi: A Study Plan That Actually Works

Learn how to practice xiangqi with a realistic weekly study plan covering tactics, openings, endgames, and game review to build lasting improvement.

Coach Aisha RahmanApr 7, 2026 8m

Guides

Xiangqi for Kids: A Fun Way to Teach Chinese Chess

A parent's and teacher's guide to xiangqi for kids: simple ways to teach the pieces, rules, and first games of Chinese chess (象棋) with joy.

Mei LinJan 13, 2026 7m

Guides

Xiangqi Glossary: Key Terms Every Player Should Know

A clear xiangqi terms glossary covering pieces, the board, tactics, and Chinese and Vietnamese vocabulary every 象棋 and Cờ Tướng player should know.

Zhang WeiJan 20, 2026 8m

Guides

How Long Does It Take to Learn Xiangqi?

How long does it take to learn xiangqi? A realistic timeline for Chinese chess (象棋), from your first hour to solid club play, with a practice plan.

Daniel OkaforJan 27, 2026 7m

Guides

How to Play Xiangqi Online for Free (2026 Guide)

Learn how to play xiangqi online free in 2026: get started in minutes, find opponents and bots, and improve at Chinese chess (象棋) without spending a cent.

Mei LinApr 14, 2026 7m

Guides

How to Play Cờ Tướng: Vietnamese Chinese Chess for Beginners

How to play Cờ Tướng, Vietnamese Chinese chess: trap the enemy general on a 9×10 board. Learn the pieces — Tướng, Mã, Xe, Pháo, Tốt — the rules, and first moves.

GM Lê MinhMay 19, 2026 8m

Guides

Xiangqi Rules FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered

A clear xiangqi rules FAQ: how the board and pieces work, how you win by checkmate or stalemate, the flying-general rule, draws, and perpetual check explained.

Mei LinMay 8, 2026 9m

Guides

Perpetual Check and the Chasing Rules in Xiangqi

Understand perpetual check in xiangqi: why endless checks and chasing an unprotected piece are banned, how the rules decide the result, and how to play them right.

Zhang WeiMay 15, 2026 8m

Guides

How Draws Work in Xiangqi: A Clear Guide

Understand xiangqi draw rules in plain language: agreement, insufficient material, repetition, perpetual check, and move limits that decide when a game is drawn.

Zhang WeiMay 22, 2026 7m

Guides

Stalemate in Xiangqi: Why It's a Loss, Not a Draw

Stalemate in xiangqi is a loss for the player who cannot move, unlike Western chess. Learn why the rule exists and how it changes endgame technique.

Mei LinMay 29, 2026 6m

Guides

The Best Xiangqi Books and Learning Resources

Looking for the best xiangqi books and resources? This guide maps the categories, from rules primers to endgame manuals, apps, and video channels for every level.

Mr. Tan WeiJun 19, 2026 7m

Guides

Check, Checkmate and Stalemate Explained

Confused about checkmate vs stalemate? Learn the difference between check, checkmate, and stalemate, why stalemate is a draw, and how to avoid throwing away wins.

Coach Aisha RahmanJan 19, 2026 7m

Guides

The Fastest Checkmates in Chess

The fastest checkmate in chess ends the game in just two moves. Meet Fool's Mate, Scholar's Mate, and the quick opening traps every player should know.

Daniel OkaforJan 27, 2026 8m

Guides

Bullet, Blitz and Rapid: Chess Time Controls Explained

Chess time controls decide how fast a game feels. Learn the difference between bullet, blitz, rapid and classical, plus how increment and delay actually work.

Coach Aisha RahmanJan 29, 2026 9m

Guides

Why Chess Puzzles Make You a Better Player

The real chess puzzles benefits go far beyond tactics: sharper pattern recognition, deeper calculation, and cleaner visualization. Here is how to train them right.

Coach Aisha RahmanJun 29, 2026 7m

Guides

A Chess Player's Guide to Learning Xiangqi

A chess player learning Xiangqi already knows more than they think. This guide maps rooks to chariots, knights to horses, and points out the traps to avoid.

FM Elena PetrovaJul 5, 2026 7m