Games

Chinese Chess

Xiang Qi, Xiangqi, or Hsiang-chi's is the most popular game in China. For rules of playing the game, refer to

 
XiangQi: Chinese Chess Homepage from TXA [Toronto Chess Xiangqi Association. http://txa.ipoline.com

Provides in its menu news, news group, on line play, photo album, software, practical end game, puzzle, data base, profile of masters, clubs, fans, on line magazine, rules, books, equipment, rating, survey, and other links. Rules gives Basics of Chinese chess by Sam Sloan, and Another basic rule in chess variant.

The Clubs menu provides a number of clubs and association, such as Los Angeles Chinese chess Association, Xiangqi Association of American, New York Chinese chess Association,, and United East Athletic Association, Xiangqi Club. Addresses, telephone numbers, and some with e-mail are given.

The board has nine ventricle lines and ten horizontal lines In the middle which lines do not go through is called "international border". There are sixty-four squares. In each side are two diagonals consisting of four squares, called "the palace". The board is shown below:

The pieces

There are thirty-two pieces with sixteen pieces for each side colored red and black for distinction. Sixteen pieces are :

Each piece is set on the intersection. The position of pieces at beginning of the game is shown below:

The moves

1. The general and the body-guard move within the "the palace". The general can move in any direction, one intersection at a time. The body guard can only move diagonally forward and backward one intersection at a time.
2. The elephant moves diagonally across four squares in any direction, it can only move below the "boundary river". It can not move toward one direction if there is a piece in that direction in the intersection of the four squares.
3. The horse moves in L-shape, straight first and then diagonal in two square spaces, in either direction. If there is a pieces in the intersection of the straight line, the horse is obstructed to move diagonally. It can not jump over the obstructed piece..
4. The chariot can move in any direction on a straight line.
5. The cannon can move in any direction on a straight line. For attack, there must be a piece between the cannon and the object to be attacked.
6. The pawn moves forward one intersection at a time. After it crosses the "boundary river", it may move forward or sideway, but no backward.

The captures

The player moves in alternate one piece at a time. When the piece moves across the intersection if there is an adverse piece on the intersection, it captures the adverse piece. Attack by the cannon requires jumping over a piece whether adverse or not to capture the adverse piece. No other pieces can jump.

The checkmate and drawn game

The purpose of the game is to capture the general. If the general is captured, it is checkmate. and the game is won. However, the game is drawn if neither side is able to capture the general of the other side.