DownloadIntroducing a unique chess game that merges the epic narrative of the Three Kingdoms with traditional gameplay. This game offers various modes, allowing players to conquer all levels, challenge legendary heroes, and swiftly master chess endgames. Xiangqi, originating from China, is a renowned two-player strategic game with a rich history. Due to its simple yet engaging design, Xiangqi has become a beloved chess activity worldwide.
Chess Pieces
Xiangqi features thirty-two chess pieces, split into two teams: red and black. Each team consists of sixteen pieces, categorized into seven types. Here's a detailed breakdown:
- Red Chess Pieces: One handsome, two rooks, two horses, two cannons, two phases, two shi, and five soldiers.
- Black Chess Pieces: One general, two horses, two cannons, two elephants, two taxis, and five pawns.
Handsome/General
The red side's leader is called "handsome" while the black side's leader is the "general". Both are pivotal figures in the game, serving as the primary targets. They can only move within the "nine palaces", moving one square at a time either vertically or horizontally. Importantly, the handsome and general cannot face each other directly on the same vertical line, as this results in an immediate loss for the moving player.
Shi/Taxis
"Shi" on the red side and "taxis" on the black side are restricted to the nine palaces. They move diagonally within this area, limited to one square per move.
Phase/Elephant
The red "phase" and black "elephant" move diagonally two squares at a time, known as "elephant flying field". Their movement is confined to their respective sides of the "river boundary" and cannot cross it. If a piece blocks the center of their path, they cannot move, a situation referred to as "plugging the elephant's eye".
Rook (Jū)
The rook is the most powerful piece in Xiangqi, capable of moving any number of squares along a straight line, either horizontally or vertically, as long as no piece blocks its path. This is known as "car straight road". A rook can control up to seventeen points, earning it the nickname "one car and ten children".
Cannon
The cannon moves like the rook when not capturing, but to capture, it must jump over exactly one piece, whether friendly or enemy, a maneuver called "shelling the partition" or "over the mountain".
Horse
The horse moves in an "L" shape, first moving one square horizontally or vertically, then one square diagonally, known as "horse walking day". It can reach up to eight points around it, hence the phrase "eight sides of majesty". If another piece blocks its initial move, it cannot proceed, a situation called "crippling the horse's legs".
Soldiers/Pawns
The red "soldiers" and black "pawns" can only move forward before crossing the river, and cannot move backward. After crossing the river, they gain the ability to move left or right, but only one square at a time. This enhances their power significantly, leading to the saying "small pawns crossing the river top cart".
Players take turns moving their pieces, embodying the strategic principles from Sun Tzu's Art of War, such as "subduing the enemy without fighting" and "winning with superior strategy". The game begins with the red side moving first, and continues until one player achieves "checkmate" or "traps" the opponent's general (handsome). Through the intricate dynamics of attack and defense, players can enhance their cognitive skills, understanding the interplay of reality and deception, as well as the balance between the whole and the parts.
