Back to games

Play Xiangqi Online

Xiangqi, often called Chinese Chess, is a deep two-player board game built around generals, soldiers, chariots, cannons, and river movement.

Play game Read rules

About Xiangqi

Xiangqi, or Chinese Chess, is one of China's most influential strategy board games. It features generals, advisors, elephants, horses, chariots, cannons, and soldiers fighting across a river.

This browser edition focuses on core Xiangqi movement: move red and black pieces across the river and capture the opposing general to win.

Origin and background

Xiangqi has been played for centuries and remains one of the most recognizable strategy games in China. Compared with Western chess, the board is more open and the cannon piece creates a distinctive style of attack.

The river and palace make Xiangqi feel different from many other chess games. Some pieces cannot cross the river, while soldiers gain new movement options after crossing it.

How to play

Select one of your pieces and move it according to its rule. Red moves first, then black responds. The most important goal is to keep your general safe while creating pressure on the opposing general.

Beginners should first learn the chariot, horse, cannon, and soldier. These pieces drive most of the visible action on the board.

Rules

Each side protects its general inside the palace.
Pieces move by their own rules across the board and river.
The game ends when a general is checkmated.

Beginner tips

Keep the general protected before attacking.
Use cannons with screens to create pressure.
Do not move defensive pieces away too early.

Common mistakes

Attacking too early while leaving the general exposed.
Forgetting that cannons need a screen to capture.
Moving horses into blocked positions where they cannot develop.

Why it is still fun

Xiangqi is rewarding because the board changes quickly. A cannon can threaten from far away, a chariot can control a whole file, and a soldier can become a serious attacking piece after crossing the river.

Even a simplified browser game helps players learn the shape and rhythm of Chinese Chess.

Play Xiangqi

Open the playable browser version, then return to this guide whenever you want to review the rules or beginner strategy.

Open game

Xiangqi FAQ

Is Xiangqi the same as Chinese Chess?

Yes. Xiangqi is commonly called Chinese Chess in English.

Is this a full tournament Xiangqi engine?

No. It is a lightweight browser version focused on playable core movement.

Which side moves first?

Red moves first in this version.