Controls

You play by tapping a piece and then its destination. Pieces move on the intersections of the board rather than inside the squares.

Several pieces move unlike anything in chess:

• The cannon moves like a rook, sliding along ranks and files, but captures only by jumping over exactly one piece, of either side, to land on an enemy. This makes it a unique attacking piece.
• Soldiers and the river matter together: a soldier moves only forward until it crosses the river dividing the board, after which it also gains the ability to move sideways, growing stronger.
• The general and palace are restricted: the general stays within a small palace and can't leave it, and the two generals may never face each other directly on an open file with no pieces between them.

You win by checkmating the enemy general, just as in chess, trapping it so it can't escape capture.

Against the computer, the difficulty rises across eight levels as it plays sharper tactics.

Tips

• Learn the cannon's leap. The cannon captures only by jumping one piece, so it needs a 'screen' to attack, which makes it strong in a crowded position and weak in an open one. Using it well is central to Xiangqi.
• Get your soldiers across the river. A soldier gains sideways movement once it crosses the river, becoming much more useful, so advancing them at the right time adds real attacking power.
• Use the flying-general rule. Since the two generals can never face each other on an open file, you can sometimes pin an enemy piece or restrict the general by threatening to open that file.
• Develop your strong pieces early. The chariots, which move like rooks, are your most powerful pieces, so bringing them into active positions early gives you the most attacking strength.
• Guard your general's palace. Your general is confined to its palace with the help of guards and elephants, so keep those defenders in place, since a poorly protected palace is quickly checkmated.
• Watch for cannon and chariot threats. The cannon's leaping capture creates threats that are easy to overlook, so before each move, check whether an enemy cannon or chariot has a line to your key pieces or general.

Frequently asked questions