Reference

Piece movement and special rules

Review the palace, river, cannons, facing generals, and other unique rules at any time.

Xiangqi reference

Palace, river, and piece movement

Open it only when you need to check something.

Move record and board coordinates

Standard human-readable notation

Move record and coordinates Chinese move notation (WXF) 炮五進四

Code for storage and integration UCCI e5e9

Move notation numbers files 1–9 from each player's right; UCCI coordinates treat Red's lower left as a0 and Black's upper right as i9.

Visual reference

Piece catalog

On a board without piece stands but with palaces and a river, seven piece types each have unique restrictions.

7 types

Xiangqi pieces

16 each for Red and Black

General / Marshal Moves one point orthogonally within the palace. Beware the rule against facing Generals.

Advisor / Guard A guard that moves one point diagonally within the palace.

Elephant / Minister Moves exactly two points diagonally and cannot cross the river.

Horse It cannot move if the adjacent point before the bend is blocked.

Chariot A major piece that moves any number of points vertically or horizontally.

Cannon When capturing, it must jump over exactly one intervening piece.

Soldier / Pawn After crossing the river, it can also move sideways.

General / Marshal

One point orthogonally within the palace A move that leaves the General and Marshal facing on the same file is prohibited.

Advisor

One point diagonally within the palace This piece protects the general and cannot leave the palace.

Elephant / Minister

Two points diagonally It cannot cross the river or move when the intervening point is occupied.

Chariot

Any number of points orthogonally A major piece that races along an open line.

Cannon

Moves like the Chariot When capturing only, it must jump over exactly one intervening piece.

Pawn / Soldier

One point forward After crossing the river, it can also move one point sideways. It can never move backward.

Some pieces cannot leave the palace A pawn's movement changes after crossing the river A Cannon needs a screen to capture Facing generals are prohibited

Palace and river

The General / Marshal and Advisors move only within the 3x3 palace.
Elephants / Ministers stay on their own side and cannot cross the river.
Pawns / Soldiers can also move sideways after crossing the river.

Cannons and facing generals

A Cannon moves like a Chariot normally, but must jump exactly one intervening piece to capture.
The General and Marshal cannot face each other on the same file with no piece between them.

Xiangqi

Learning

CMS managed tracks

Learning Rules

The River, Palace, and Piece Movement

Learn the movement restrictions of cannons, horses, elephants, advisors, and generals, plus the flying-general rule.

2Modules 10Items

Xiangqi Basics Beginner / 5min

Place pieces on line intersections, alternate moves while accounting for the river and palace, and checkmate the opposing general.

Article Capture the Opposing General
Pattern Move pieces on intersections alternately
Move sequence Capture an Opposing Piece
Pattern The general cannot leave the palace
Move sequence A Cannon Captures by Jumping Over One Piece
Position puzzle Cut off the general's escape routes

Practical tutorial Beginner / 7min

Learn by connecting basic terms, practical mate patterns, and representative openings.

Article Coordinate Pieces to Corner the General
Article Link practical terms to the position
Article Learn representative mating patterns
Article Typical opening setup and its aim

Go to the study page

Xiangqi

Xiangqi Basics

Beginner

Practice the basic controls right here

Choose a step in the inline tutorial below to review the flow.

Piece movement and special rules

Open it only when you need to check something.

Next step

Choose after the tutorial

Once you are comfortable moving pieces, review anything that was unclear or practice your decisions with a short problem.

Learn: Your first three minutes Briefly review the objective of Xiangqi and the first action to take. Web tutorial Learning: Rules quick reference Review how to move, capture, and win on one screen whenever you are uncertain. CMS guide Training: Short problems After reviewing the basics, reinforce your decision-making with short problems. Practice before a match Mastery: Maxims and competitive philosophy Read about strategy, whole-board vision, decisions, and competitive philosophy unique to Xiangqi in a practical guide. Reading