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Manu Arcade · No. LXX

Xiangqi

Cross the river. Run down the general.

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Your move.

About Xiangqi

Xiangqi, or Chinese chess, against the Marshal: chariots and cannons, hobbled horses, elephants that cannot cross the river, and generals who may never meet on an open file. Cross the river and run his general down. Play solo, or take a seat at a live, rated table. Free in your browser, no ads, no sign-up.

How to play

You are Red and move first. Win by leaving the enemy general in check with no lawful escape, or with no legal move at all. The general and his advisors keep to the palace, the elephants guard their own bank and never cross the river, the horse moves like a knight but can be blocked at its elbow, and the cannon captures by leaping exactly one piece. The two generals may never face on an open file.

Controls

Tips

Cannons are strongest early, with pieces to screen them, and weakest on an empty board, so trade them off when the field thins. Keep a piece on the file between the generals as a quiet, permanent pin.