About Chinese Chess
Chinese Chess, also known as Chinese Chess, is a two-player strategy game played on a 9x10 board divided by a river, with each general confined to a guarded palace. Two armies of sixteen pieces maneuver to checkmate the enemy general.
Its distinctive cannons, blocked horses and elephants, and the flying-general rule give Chinese Chess a rich tactical character that rewards both bold attacks and patient defense. Red moves first, and the first to trap the enemy general wins.
Play Chinese Chess vs AI
Play Chinese Chess online against the computer to learn the openings, sharpen your tactics, and get comfortable with cannons, screens, and palace defense.
Start on an easy level to absorb how each piece moves, then raise the difficulty to face an opponent that punishes loose defense and finds forcing checkmates.
How to play Chinese Chess
Chinese Chess rules reward understanding how each piece works: chariots sweep open lines, cannons need a screen to capture, horses and elephants can be blocked, and soldiers gain sideways movement after crossing the river.
The general and advisors never leave the palace, elephants never cross the river, and the two generals may never face each other on an open file, a rule that creates many surprising tactics.
Improve by learning strategy
Strong Chinese Chess strategy balances a fast attack with a solid palace. Open lines for your chariots, use the central cannon to pressure the enemy general, and manage screens to control cannon threats.
Keep your advisors and elephants coordinated in defense, watch the flying-general file, and aim to convert an initiative into a decisive checkmate before your opponent untangles.
Frequently Asked Questions
You win by checkmating the enemy general, meaning it is under attack and cannot avoid capture next move. You also win if your opponent has no legal move, because stalemate counts as a loss in Chinese Chess. Protecting your own general while cornering your opponent's is the heart of the game.
Similar games you might like
If you enjoy Chinese Chess, you will probably like these other abstract strategy board games.
Learn, Play, and Have Fun!
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