Chinese Chess (or "XiangQi") is a game for two players, one having the red pieces ("Red") and the other having the black pieces ("Black"). The Chinese Chess board is a grid of nine vertical lines ("files") and ten horizontal lines ("ranks") for a total of 90 intersections ("points") on which the pieces are placed and moved about. The vertical lines connecting the fifth and sixth ranks are customarily omitted to designate the "River". The two regions each made up of four squares and marked by an "X" are the two "Palaces". The board is put with the River halfway between the two players.

Starting rules

Red always commences the game, then each side shall play alternately, one move at a time until the game results in a win for one side or a draw.

Game Piece Information

There are 7 types of pieces, 16 on each side. The names, meanings, approximate values and their standard Chinese pronunciations are summarized in the following table:

Pieces

No. Each side

Original Meaning in Chinese Red / Black

Westen Chess Counterpart
Value in Points
Chinese Pronunciation Red / Black
1
General
King
n/a
Shuai/Jaing
2
Advisor/Guard
(Guard)
2
Shi
2
Minister/Elephant
Bishop
2
Xiang
2
Chariot
Rook
9
Ju
2
Horse
Knight
4
Ma
2
Cannon/Catapult
(Cannon)
4.5
Pao
5
Soldier
Pawn
1*, 2**
Bing/Zu

* before crossing river **after crossing river