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Xiangqi Rules: How to Play Chinese Chess

Learn Xiangqi rules, pieces, board setup, cannon screens, horse-leg blocks, checkmate goals, openings, endgames, and annotated records.

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44
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Rules plus records
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Read, compare, replay mentally
Rules encyclopedia

Read these rules before the record examples

This hub keeps the game rule sheet, notation, source note, and lesson archive together so a reader can verify the game before comparing outside records.

Rule sourceWorld Xiangqi RulesXiangqi legality, piece movement, competition terminology, and rule-card boundaries.NotationPiece-file notation1. Red C8=5 | Black H7+7Record contextXiangqi Record Database ContextLinked only as an external record context. This site does not copy XQBase game scores or present its composed fragments as database records.
Setup

Xiangqi starts from a river board with two palaces, advisors, elephants, horses, chariots, cannons, soldiers, and opposing generals in fixed files. To learn how to play Xiangqi, read the board zones first: cannons need screens, horses can be leg-blocked, elephants cannot cross the river, and palace pieces do not move like free chess pieces.

Win condition

The practical goal is to checkmate or trap the opposing general under Xiangqi legality. A rules-first lesson should identify legal checks, palace guards, flying-general risk, and material grabs that are only safe after the general is not exposed.

Legal move

Each piece has its own movement rule: chariots slide along open lines, horses step with a blockable leg, cannons move like chariots but capture over exactly one screen, elephants stay on their side of the river, advisors stay diagonal inside the palace, soldiers change after the river, and generals stay inside the palace.

Turn order

Players alternate one legal move at a time. A record line is useful only when each reply is legal under check, palace, river, cannon-screen, and horse-leg constraints.

Notation bridge

Piece-file notation is not decoration; it tells the reader which piece moved, from which file, and whether the move advanced, retreated, or shifted. The rule card should be read beside the notation before judging the plan.

Common rule trap

The common beginner trap is treating a cannon or horse as if it attacks freely. A cannon without the right screen or a horse with a blocked leg can make a move look active while the record shows it was illegal or harmless.

Variant line

Regional notation, opening names, and competition wording can differ, but this site keeps one teaching notation and checks it against the public rule source instead of mixing incompatible score conventions.

Record reading bridge

Beginner records name one legal plan, intermediate records compare a reply that changes timing, and advanced records test whether a forcing line still obeys screens, pins, river timing, and palace safety.

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Search within these 44 lessons by notation, topic, game family, or record level.

44 matches
Xiangqi / beginner / Teaching recordsXiangqi Beginner First-Plan Record: Red C8=5 River Lane1. Red C8=5 | Black H7+7A beginner first plan: river lane record should feel inspectable: one board cue, one first plan around Red C8=5, and one reply that shows why the tempting move is unsafe. Board cue: red cannon file 8, black horse file 7, and rook file 8. Rule check: the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints. The notation uses Xiangqi algebraic piece-file notation. The first two entries are 1. Red C8=5 | Black H7+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6, which keeps the explanation tied to visible goals, obvious mistakes, and a record line that can be replayed without a live board.Xiangqi / beginner / Teaching recordsXiangqi Beginner First-Plan Record: Red C6=5 Safe Reply1. Red C6=5 | Black H8+7A beginner first plan: safe reply record should feel inspectable: one board cue, one first plan around Red C6=5, and one reply that shows why the tempting move is unsafe. Board cue: red cannon file 6, black horse file 8, and rook file 8. Rule check: the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints. The notation uses Xiangqi algebraic piece-file notation. The first two entries are 1. Red C6=5 | Black H8+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6, which keeps the explanation tied to visible goals, obvious mistakes, and a record line that can be replayed without a live board.Xiangqi / beginner / RulesXiangqi Beginner Rules: River Lane Setup with Red C7=51. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7This beginner Xiangqi river lane rule card starts from the rules rather than the move list: setup and win condition define the goal, legal move and turn order define the allowed line, and the notation bridge explains 1. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6. The short line 1. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6 is included only to make the rule concrete. Board cue: red cannon file 7, black horse file 6, and rook file 8. Rule check: the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints. It does not replace the source rules.Xiangqi / beginner / RulesXiangqi Beginner Rules: Center Route Setup with Red C4=51. Red C4=5 | Black H8+7For beginner Xiangqi readers opening the center route rule card, the page should answer the rules question first: what is the setup, how is the game won, which move is legal, whose turn is next, and what variant boundary changes the record? The short line 1. Red C4=5 | Black H8+7; 2. Red H7+3 | Black R1=8 is included only to make the rule concrete. Board cue: red cannon file 4, black horse file 8, and rook file 1. Rule check: the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints. It does not replace the source rules.Xiangqi / beginner / OpeningXiangqi Opening Lesson: Red C7=5 River Lane1. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7A beginner opening shape: river lane record should feel inspectable: one board cue, one first plan around Red C7=5, and one reply that shows why the tempting move is unsafe. Board cue: red cannon file 7, black horse file 6, and rook file 8. Rule check: the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints. The notation uses Xiangqi algebraic piece-file notation. The first two entries are 1. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6, which keeps the explanation tied to first shapes, early routes, development order, and when an early threat is real.Xiangqi / beginner / OpeningXiangqi Opening Lesson: Red C4=5 Center Route1. Red C4=5 | Black H8+7For beginner readers, this Chinese chess opening shape: center route fragment keeps the line short enough to replay aloud while still naming the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints. Board cue: red cannon file 4, black horse file 8, and rook file 1. Rule check: the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints. The notation uses Xiangqi algebraic piece-file notation. The first two entries are 1. Red C4=5 | Black H8+7; 2. Red H7+3 | Black R1=8, which keeps the explanation tied to first shapes, early routes, development order, and when an early threat is real.

Complete archive

44 indexed record lessons for this section.

By record level

Archive map

Start with one section, then compare the neighboring level or game family.

Beginner records12 lessonsFirst: Xiangqi Beginner First-Plan Record: Red C8=5 River LaneIntermediate records12 lessonsFirst: Xiangqi Intermediate Rules: Safe Reply Setup with Red C6=5Advanced records12 lessonsFirst: Xiangqi Advanced Rules: Corner Pressure Setup with Red C7=5All-level reference notes8 lessonsFirst: Xiangqi All-Level Rules: Shape Lesson Setup with Red C8=5

Topic index

Choose the kind of record work you want before opening the full archive.

Beginner records

12 lessons
beginnerXiangqi Beginner First-Plan Record: Red C8=5 River LaneChinese chess river lane first-plan line: the line opens 1. Red C8=5 | Black H7+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6 and turns on the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints.beginnerXiangqi Beginner First-Plan Record: Red C6=5 Safe ReplySafe reply first-plan line for Chinese chess: name the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints, replay 1. Red C6=5 | Black H8+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6, and compare the next lesson.beginnerXiangqi Beginner Rules: River Lane Setup with Red C7=5Chinese chess river lane rules note: the line opens 1. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6 and turns on the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints.beginnerXiangqi Beginner Rules: Center Route Setup with Red C4=5Replay Red C4=5 in this Xiangqi center route rules note, then use Black H8+7 to see why opening a rook file while the palace guard is still pinned fails.beginnerXiangqi Opening Lesson: Red C7=5 River LaneChinese chess river lane opening pattern: the line opens 1. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6 and turns on the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints.beginnerXiangqi Opening Lesson: Red C4=5 Center RouteReplay Red C4=5 in this Xiangqi center route opening pattern, then use Black H8+7 to see why chasing a central check that leaves the flank rook loose fails.beginnerXiangqi Endgame Lesson: Red C6=5 Shape LessonA compact Xiangqi shape lesson endgame pattern where Red C6=5 meets Black H8+7, with the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints as the check point.beginnerXiangqi Endgame Lesson: Red C2=5 Final TempoXiangqi final tempo endgame pattern: new readers replay Red C2=5, test Black H7+7, and catch starting a cannon attack without a stable screen.beginnerXiangqi Strategy Lesson: Red C8=5 Safe ReplySafe reply strategy position for Chinese chess: name the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints, replay 1. Red C8=5 | Black H7+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6, and compare the next lesson.beginnerXiangqi Strategy Lesson: Red C3=5 Route RepairXiangqi learners inspect red cannon file 3, black horse file 6, and rook file 1 in this route repair strategy position before trusting Red C3=5.beginnerXiangqi Record Comparison: Corner Pressure with Red C7=5Xiangqi guide to corner pressure comparison path: read red cannon file 7, black horse file 6, and rook file 9, follow 1. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7; 2. Red H2+3 | Black R9=8, and separate the rule cue from habit.beginnerXiangqi Record Comparison: Timing Choice with Red C4=5This Xiangqi page makes opening a rook file while the palace guard is still pinned visible by pairing Red C4=5 with Black H8+7 in a timing choice comparison path.

Intermediate records

12 lessons
intermediateXiangqi Intermediate Rules: Safe Reply Setup with Red C6=5Chinese chess safe reply rules note: the line opens 1. Red C6=5 | Black H8+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6 and turns on the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints.intermediateXiangqi Intermediate Rules: Route Repair Setup with Red C2=5Replay Red C2=5 in this Xiangqi route repair rules note, then use Black H7+7 to see why opening a rook file while the palace guard is still pinned fails.intermediateXiangqi Intermediate Reply Record: Red C8=5 Corner Pressure TurnA compact Xiangqi corner pressure reply line where Red C8=5 meets Black H7+7, with the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints as the check point.intermediateXiangqi Intermediate Reply Record: Red C3=5 Timing Choice TurnXiangqi timing choice reply line: intermediate readers replay Red C3=5, test Black H6+7, and catch opening a rook file while the palace guard is still pinned.intermediateXiangqi Opening Lesson: Red C8=5 Shape LessonXiangqi guide to shape lesson opening pattern: read red cannon file 8, black horse file 7, and rook file 9, follow 1. Red C8=5 | Black H7+7; 2. Red H2+3 | Black R9=8, and separate the rule cue from habit.intermediateXiangqi Opening Lesson: Red C3=5 Final TempoThis Xiangqi page makes grabbing the river pawn before the cannon file is safe visible by pairing Red C3=5 with Black H6+7 in a final tempo opening pattern.intermediateXiangqi Endgame Lesson: Red C7=5 Safe ReplyChinese chess safe reply endgame pattern: the line opens 1. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6 and turns on the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints.intermediateXiangqi Endgame Lesson: Red C4=5 Route RepairReplay Red C4=5 in this Xiangqi route repair endgame pattern, then use Black H8+7 to see why chasing a central check that leaves the flank rook loose fails.intermediateXiangqi Strategy Lesson: Red C6=5 Corner PressureA compact Xiangqi corner pressure strategy position where Red C6=5 meets Black H8+7, with the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints as the check point.intermediateXiangqi Strategy Lesson: Red C2=5 Timing ChoiceXiangqi timing choice strategy position: intermediate readers replay Red C2=5, test Black H7+7, and catch crossing the river before the supporting piece can answer.intermediateXiangqi Record Comparison: River Lane with Red C8=5River lane comparison path for Chinese chess: name the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints, replay 1. Red C8=5 | Black H7+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6, and compare the next lesson.intermediateXiangqi Record Comparison: Center Route with Red C3=5Xiangqi learners inspect red cannon file 3, black horse file 6, and rook file 1 in this center route comparison path before trusting Red C3=5.

Advanced records

12 lessons
advancedXiangqi Advanced Rules: Corner Pressure Setup with Red C7=5Xiangqi guide to corner pressure rules note: read red cannon file 7, black horse file 6, and rook file 9, follow 1. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7; 2. Red H2+3 | Black R9=8, and separate the rule cue from habit.advancedXiangqi Advanced Rules: Timing Choice Setup with Red C4=5This Xiangqi page makes opening a rook file while the palace guard is still pinned visible by pairing Red C4=5 with Black H8+7 in a timing choice rules note.advancedXiangqi Advanced Reply Record: Red C6=5 River Lane TurnChinese chess river lane reply line: the line opens 1. Red C6=5 | Black H8+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6 and turns on the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints.advancedXiangqi Advanced Reply Record: Red C2=5 Center Route TurnReplay Red C2=5 in this Xiangqi center route reply line, then use Black H7+7 to see why opening a rook file while the palace guard is still pinned fails.advancedXiangqi Advanced Threat Record: Red C8=5 Shape LessonA compact Xiangqi shape lesson threat sequence where Red C8=5 meets Black H7+7, with the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints as the check point.advancedXiangqi Advanced Threat Record: Red C3=5 Final TempoXiangqi final tempo threat sequence: advanced readers replay Red C3=5, test Black H6+7, and catch moving the horse before checking whether its leg is blocked.advancedXiangqi Opening Lesson: Red C8=5 Corner PressureXiangqi guide to corner pressure opening pattern: read red cannon file 8, black horse file 7, and rook file 9, follow 1. Red C8=5 | Black H7+7; 2. Red H2+3 | Black R9=8, and separate the rule cue from habit.advancedXiangqi Opening Lesson: Red C3=5 Timing ChoiceThis Xiangqi page makes starting a cannon attack without a stable screen visible by pairing Red C3=5 with Black H6+7 in a timing choice opening pattern.advancedXiangqi Endgame Lesson: Red C7=5 River LaneChinese chess river lane endgame pattern: the line opens 1. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6 and turns on the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints.advancedXiangqi Endgame Lesson: Red C4=5 Center RouteReplay Red C4=5 in this Xiangqi center route endgame pattern, then use Black H8+7 to see why grabbing the river pawn before the cannon file is safe fails.advancedXiangqi Strategy Lesson: Red C6=5 Shape LessonA compact Xiangqi shape lesson strategy position where Red C6=5 meets Black H8+7, with the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints as the check point.advancedXiangqi Strategy Lesson: Red C2=5 Final TempoXiangqi final tempo strategy position: advanced readers replay Red C2=5, test Black H7+7, and catch moving the horse before checking whether its leg is blocked.

All-level reference notes

8 lessons
all-levelsXiangqi All-Level Rules: Shape Lesson Setup with Red C8=5Shape lesson rules note for Chinese chess: name the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints, replay 1. Red C8=5 | Black H7+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6, and compare the next lesson.all-levelsXiangqi All-Level Rules: Final Tempo Setup with Red C3=5Xiangqi learners inspect red cannon file 3, black horse file 6, and rook file 1 in this final tempo rules note before trusting Red C3=5.all-levelsXiangqi Opening Lesson: Red C7=5 Safe ReplyXiangqi guide to safe reply opening pattern: read red cannon file 7, black horse file 6, and rook file 9, follow 1. Red C7=5 | Black H6+7; 2. Red H2+3 | Black R9=8, and separate the rule cue from habit.all-levelsXiangqi Opening Lesson: Red C4=5 Route RepairThis Xiangqi page makes grabbing the river pawn before the cannon file is safe visible by pairing Red C4=5 with Black H8+7 in a route repair opening pattern.all-levelsXiangqi Endgame Lesson: Red C6=5 Corner PressureChinese chess corner pressure endgame pattern: the line opens 1. Red C6=5 | Black H8+7; 2. Red H3+3 | Black R8=6 and turns on the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints.all-levelsXiangqi Endgame Lesson: Red C2=5 Timing ChoiceReplay Red C2=5 in this Xiangqi timing choice endgame pattern, then use Black H7+7 to see why chasing a central check that leaves the flank rook loose fails.all-levelsXiangqi Strategy Lesson: Red C8=5 River LaneA compact Xiangqi river lane strategy position where Red C8=5 meets Black H7+7, with the cannon screen, horse leg, river, and palace guard constraints as the check point.all-levelsXiangqi Strategy Lesson: Red C3=5 Center RouteXiangqi center route strategy position: mixed-level readers replay Red C3=5, test Black H6+7, and catch crossing the river before the supporting piece can answer.