Three Kingdoms chess:象棋

A strategic board game blending the epic theme of the Three Kingdoms era. It features diverse game modes, offering the chance to conquer all levels, challenge legendary heroes, and quickly master endgame tactics.

Xiangqi, or Chinese chess, is a two-player strategy game of ancient Chinese origin. With its straightforward, engaging pieces, it has become a widely beloved intellectual sport.

Game Pieces

The game uses thirty-two pieces, divided into red and black armies. Each side commands sixteen pieces across seven distinct types, as follows:

Red Army: One King (Shuai), two Rooks, two Horses, two Cannons, two Advisors, and five Soldiers.

Black Army: One General (Jiang), two Rooks, two Horses, two Cannons, two Elephants, and five Pawns.

The King / General

The red leader is the "King" (Shuai), while the black leader is the "General" (Jiang). They are the supreme commanders and the primary target for capture.

Movement is confined to the "Palace" (nine intersections). They can move one point vertically or horizontally per turn. The King and General cannot face each other directly on an open file (a rule called "flying general"), or the player making that move loses.

Advisors (Red) / Guards (Black)

The red "Advisors" (Shi) and black "Guards" (Shi) are also restricted to the Palace. They move one point diagonally.

Elephants (Red) / Ministrels (Black)

The red "Elephants" (Xiang) and black "Ministrels" (Xiang) move exactly two points diagonally, a move known as "the elephant's diagonal." Their movement is confined to their own side of the river. They cannot cross it, and their path is blocked if a piece sits on the intervening point ("blocking the elephant's eye").

The Chariot (Rook)

The Chariot is the most powerful piece. It moves any number of unobstructed points horizontally or vertically ("the chariot runs straight"). Controlling up to seventeen points, it is famously said, "One chariot is worth ten lesser pieces."

The Cannon

The Cannon moves identically to the Chariot when not capturing. To capture, however, it must jump over exactly one intervening piece (friend or foe), a tactic called "firing the cannon."

The Horse

The Horse moves one point orthogonally followed by one point diagonally outward ("the horse moves like the character '日'"). It can potentially reach eight surrounding points, earning the description "commanding from eight directions." Its move is blocked if a piece occupies the point immediately adjacent in the initial direction ("hobbling the horse's leg").

Soldiers (Red) / Pawns (Black)

These pieces, "Soldiers" for red and "Pawns" for black, move one point forward only before crossing the river. After crossing, they may also move one point horizontally. Though moving one step at a time, a Soldier's power increases significantly upon crossing, leading to the saying, "A pawn across the river is as strong as a chariot."

Players take turns moving one piece per turn, embodying Sun Tzu's military principle of subduing the enemy without fighting. Victory is achieved by checkmating or stalemating the opponent's King (General). The red side moves first, and play continues until a win, loss, or draw is determined. Through the complex interplay of attack, defense, strategy, and tactics, players can hone their analytical and strategic thinking.