Gomoku
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Xiangqi
Classic Chinese chess strategy with AI and local play.
Game Settings
Game Status
Current Player
Red
Captured Pieces
Red Captured
Black Captured
Chu River
Han Border
车
马
象
士
将
士
象
马
车
炮
炮
卒
卒
卒
卒
卒
兵
兵
兵
兵
兵
炮
炮
车
马
相
仕
帅
仕
相
马
车
Move History0
No moves yet.
Instructions
Basic Rules
- • Red moves first.
- • Take turns moving one piece.
- • Capture the opposing general to win.
Piece Movement
- • Each piece follows Xiangqi movement rules.
- • The river and palace restrict certain pieces.
- • Generals may not face each other directly.
AI Mode
- • Choose difficulty before starting.
- • The AI can control red or black.
- • Use undo to review recent moves.
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Game Guide
Xiangqi Guide, Rules, and Tips
Xiangqi, or Chinese Chess, is a two-player strategy game played on the intersections of a 9×10 board divided by a river. Each side has a general who must stay inside the palace. You can play against the computer at several difficulty levels or against a friend on the same device.
How to Play
- Red moves first. Pieces move along the lines and stand on the intersections, not in the squares.
- The general and advisors stay inside the 3×3 palace; elephants cannot cross the river; soldiers can move sideways only after crossing it.
- The cannon moves like a chariot but must jump over exactly one piece to capture.
- You win by checkmating the enemy general. The two generals may never face each other on an open file.
Strategy and Tips
- The chariot is your strongest piece, so bring it into play early along an open file.
- A central cannon opening puts immediate pressure on the enemy general; answer it with a horse that guards the center soldier.
- Watch for the horse’s blocked leg: a piece next to a horse stops it from moving in that direction.
- Cross the river with soldiers when they can support an attack, since they gain sideways movement.
Controls
MouseTouch
Click or tap a piece, then click the point you want it to move to. Choose Play vs AI or Two Players in the settings, and use undo and the move history to review your game.
Background
Xiangqi has been played in China for more than a thousand years and took its modern form during the Song dynasty. It is one of the most widely played board games in the world, popular across China, Vietnam, and Chinese communities abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Xiangqi against an AI?
Yes. Choose Play vs AI and pick a difficulty level. You can also switch to Two Players to play a friend on the same screen.
Why can’t my horse move?
The horse is blocked when a piece stands on the point directly next to it in the direction it wants to go. This is called hobbling the horse’s leg.
Is Xiangqi different from international chess?
Yes. Xiangqi uses a 9×10 board with a river and palace, includes cannons, and pieces stand on intersections. Check and checkmate work in a similar way.