Reference
Official Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Rules Explained
A comprehensive guide to all official Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) rules for beginners and competitive players.
1. Board and Setup Rules
1.1 Board Structure
- The board consists of 9 vertical files and 10 horizontal ranks
- Pieces are placed on intersections, not inside squares
- A horizontal river divides the board into two halves
- Each side has a 3×3 palace at the center of the back rank
These structural elements directly restrict piece movement.
1.2 Starting Position
Each player starts with 16 pieces, arranged symmetrically.
- Back rank: Chariot • Horse • Elephant • Advisor • General • Advisor • Elephant • Horse • Chariot
- Second rank: Empty
- Third rank: Cannons on the 2nd and 8th files
- Fifth rank: Soldiers on every other file (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th)
- Red traditionally moves first
2. Turn and Move Rules
- Players alternate turns
- On each turn, a player makes one legal move
- A legal move must: follow the movement rules of the piece, not leave the General in check, and not violate the facing-generals rule
- Illegal moves are not permitted
3. Piece Movement Rules
General
- Moves one point orthogonally (up, down, left, right)
- Must remain inside the palace
- Cannot move into check
- Cannot face the opposing General directly along the same file
Advisors
- Move one point diagonally
- Must remain inside the palace
- Serve as defensive pieces only
Elephants
- Move exactly two points diagonally
- Cannot cross the river
- Cannot jump over intervening pieces
Horses
- Move one point orthogonally, then one point diagonally outward
- Can be blocked if the initial orthogonal square is occupied
- This blocking rule is called a horse leg block, a key tactical concept
Chariots
- Move any number of points horizontally or vertically
- Cannot jump over pieces
- Chariots are the strongest attacking pieces in Xiangqi
Cannons
- Move like chariots when not capturing
- Capture by jumping over exactly one piece (the screen)
- The screen may be friendly or enemy
- Exactly one intervening piece is required
Soldiers
- Move one point forward
- Cannot move backward
- After crossing the river, may move one point horizontally
- Soldiers never promote
4. Capturing Rules
- A capture occurs when a piece moves to a point occupied by an opponent's piece
- The captured piece is removed from the board
- Only cannons use a special capture method
5. Check and Checkmate
A General is in check if it is directly attacked by an opponent's piece. When in check, a player must move the General, capture the attacking piece, or block the attack. If none of these are legal, the position is checkmate and the player loses.
6. The Facing-Generals Rule
One of Xiangqi's defining rules: the two Generals may not face each other directly on the same file without any intervening pieces. You cannot make a move that exposes your General directly to the opposing General.
7. Draw Rules
- Repetition: If the same position repeats due to perpetual checking or chasing, the attacking player must change moves or concede a draw.
- Perpetual Check: A player may not check indefinitely. Repeated forced checks can lead to a draw.
- Mutual Agreement: Players may agree to a draw at any time.
Common Rule Misunderstandings
- Generals cannot leave the palace
- Elephants cannot cross the river
- Horses can be blocked
- Cannons must have exactly one screen to capture
- Stalemate is not a draw
Conclusion
Understanding Xiangqi's official rules is essential for correct and competitive play. While the rules may initially appear complex, they form a logically consistent system that emphasizes initiative, coordination, and tactical awareness. With these rules mastered, players are ready to focus on strategy rather than mechanics.
