A chess game that blends the theme of the Three Kingdoms, offering diverse gameplay modes, allows players to progress through levels, challenge all heroes, and expedite the learning of endgame techniques. Xiangqi, originating in China, is a two-player strategic board game with a rich history. Due to its straightforward pieces and engaging nature, it has grown into a widely enjoyed pastime.
Chess Pieces
Xiangqi consists of thirty-two pieces, divided into red and black factions, each comprising sixteen pieces, categorized into seven types as follows:
- Red Chess Pieces: One "General," two "Chariots," two "Horses," two "Cannons," two "Elephants," two "Advisors," and five "Soldiers."
- Black Chess Pieces: One "Chariot," two "Horses," two "Cannons," two "Elephants," two "Advisors," and five "Pawns."
Piece Movement
General/Will: The red side is called "General," while the black side is "Will." As leaders, they represent the ultimate objective. They can only move within the "Nine Palaces," moving vertically or horizontally by one space per turn, avoiding direct alignment with the opponent’s General.
Advisor/Shi: Represented as "Advisor" on the red side and "Shi" on the black, these pieces move diagonally within the Nine Palaces, covering only specific palace squares.
Elephant/Phase: Known as "Elephant" for red and "Phase" for black, these pieces move two spaces diagonally, skipping one intermediate square, referred to as "flying the elephant field." Their movement is confined to their side of the river, and they cannot leap over central squares occupied by another piece.
Chariot/Ju: The Chariot, or "Ju," is the strongest piece, capable of moving any number of spaces along rows or columns without obstruction. It dominates up to seventeen points on the board, earning it the nickname "one chariot and ten children."
Cannon/Pao: Similar to the Chariot when unengaged, the Cannon leaps over an intervening piece to capture an opponent’s piece, known as "shelling the partition."
Horse/Ma: The Horse moves in an L-shape—two spaces in one direction followed by one space perpendicular to that. Blocking pieces hinder its movement, referred to as "blocking the horse leg."
Soldier/Pawn: Soldiers (red) and Pawns (black) advance forward, not backward, and cannot cross the river initially. Post-crossing, they gain lateral movement but remain limited to single-space steps. This enhances their utility significantly.
Players alternate turns, adhering to Sun Tzu’s principles of strategy, aiming to "checkmate" or strategically trap the opponent’s General to secure victory. Through this dynamic, players refine their tactical acumen, analyzing intricate offensive and defensive maneuvers.
