How to play Chinese Chess
Play Chinese chess (xiangqi) online with the full rules: the hobbled horse, the elephant’s eye and the river, the cannon’s screen and the facing generals. Play the computer at three levels as red or black, or two players on one device, with a move list, undo and check warnings. Free, no ads.
- Controls
- Select one of your pieces, then the point to move it to; before a game, choose the computer or two players, its level, and red or black
- Features
- Only legal moves, with the points a piece can reach marked; check warnings; checkmate and stalemate end the game; a move list in WXF notation; undo and new game
- Processing
- Runs in your browser, the computer player included; nothing is uploaded
- Choose “vs computer” or “two players”; against the computer, choose a level and whether you play red (first) or black. As black, the board turns so your pieces are at the bottom.
- Select one of your pieces; the points it can move to are marked. Select a point to move there, and the computer replies.
- Checkmate your opponent, or leave them with no legal move, to win. Undo a move or start a new game at any time; the move list is beside the board.
FAQ
Are the rules complete?
The moves are: the horse is blocked by a piece next to it, the elephant by a piece at its eye, and it cannot cross the river; advisors and generals stay in the palace; the cannon captures over exactly one screen; soldiers may move sideways after crossing the river; the generals may never face each other on an open file; and no move may leave your general in check. A side with no legal move loses. The same position a third time is a draw; tournament rulings on perpetual check and chasing are not implemented.
How strong is the computer?
Easy looks two moves ahead with some randomness and makes clear mistakes; normal thinks about a second per move; hard about two and a half seconds and sees the usual tactics. It thinks in your browser, so it is slower on a phone.
Can I play black?
Yes. Choose black and the computer, as red, moves first; the board turns so your pieces are at the bottom.
How do I read the move list?
It uses WXF notation: the piece (K general, A advisor, E elephant, H horse, R chariot, C cannon, P soldier), the file it stands on counted 1–9 from the mover’s right, then + forward, - back or = sideways, and the destination file or the number of steps; for example C2=5 or H8+7.
Do I need an account or a connection?
No. The game and the computer’s thinking run in your browser, and nothing is uploaded.