Chinese chess, or 象棋 (xiàngqi) as it is known in China, is one of the most popular games in the world, yet many Westerners never hear of it until moving east. Even if you've played Western chess before, xiangqi will probably still be puzzling at first. Both the Eastern game and its Western counterpart have both evolved from an earlier Indian game called Chanturanga, so they share a lot of similarities. Regardless of this, seeing the game played for the first time, it can be difficult to follow what's happening; you probably won't recognise the characters, the board, or they way each piece moves. Once you've played a few games though, it's fairly easy to pick up. If you've ever fancied having a go at Chinese chess yourself, then this guide will give you the basics, introduce you to the pieces and their moves. After which, all you'll need is a set and someone to play with.

The Board

That both Chinese chess and Western chess have evolved from the same game makes sense when you consider the board. Both games are played on a square board which is, roughly speaking, eight squares across. There are notable differences, however. Chinese chess is not played on a chequered board, but rather a square of blank wood with smaller squares outlined upon its surface.Also, in the Chinese game the board is split in two by a river running through the middle from left to right. This separates the board into two equal domains and some pieces are not able to leave their own side, remaining 'at home' as defenders.

Each side also has its palace and the General and his Advisors are unable to leave its bounds. The palaces are two squares wide and two deep and sit in the middle of the home side, where the King and Queen of Western chess begin their game.

Another crucial difference is where the pieces are set on the board. They do not, like Western chess, sit in the centre of the squares, rather they sit at the points where two lines cross. This means that it is possible to have nine pieces in a row from left to right, instead of the Western eight. The pieces move from one intersection to the next, as opposed to moving from the middle of one square to another.

The Pieces

Each side has 16 pieces, nine of which begin the game on the home edge, while seven begin with forward positions. The pieces are normally wooden and are all shaped like a squat drum. On one side the characters are painted red, on the other they are black or green, depending on the set. Chinese characters carved and painted into the surface of the pieces are used to differentiate one from another, but the symbols may be different from one side to another. For example, the red royal piece does not use the same character as the green one. Also, some sets use traditional characters while others use their simplified counterparts.

The General (the King)

The General may move one square forward or to the side but he may not leave the palace. There are only nine points he can move to.

The red General's character is 帅, or 帥 (shuài), meaning 'commander'. The green General's character is 将 or 將 (jiàng), also meaning 'commander' or 'king'.

The Advisors

Like the General, the Advisors are restricted to the palace. They may only move diagonally one place at a time. There are only five points they can inhabit.

The red Advisor is represented by 仕 (shì), meaning 'official' and the green Advisor with 士 (shì) meaning 'scholar'. Some sets use 士for both red and green Advisors.

The Elephants/Ministers

The Elephants and Ministers can move two places diagonally but are unable to cross the river. This means that they can only move to seven different points on the board, all on their own side.

The red side has Ministers, 相 (xiàng) and the green has Elephants, 象 (xiàng). Though they have different characters they are homophones of one another and are pronounced exactly the same.

The Horses

The Horses are similar to the Knights of Western chess. They are able to move two places forward and one to the side. However, a horse cannot jump over other pieces, and is blocked unless he has a clear path.

In some sets the red Horse is represented by傌 (mǎ), which actually means 'to curse/scold'. But in many sets the red side uses the same character as the green Horse, 馬 (mǎ), simply meaning 'horse'.

The Chariots

The Chariot equates with the Rook in Western chess, and is often called a rook by English speaking players of Chinese chess. It also moves in the same way, left to right, forward and back as far as its route is clear.

The red Chariot is often represented with俥 (jū), but in many traditional sets the red side uses the same character as the green, 車 (jū), traditionally this meant 'war-chariot' but many Chinese players will refer to the piece as the 'car' or 'bicycle' reflecting the contemporary meaning of the character.

Two cannons can jump over one another

The Cannons

The Cannon, like the Chariot, can move as far is as clear forward and back, left to right, but it can go further. The Cannon is only able to "take" another piece by "jumping over" a first piece set between it and its target. Because of this capability and its reach to anywhere on the board, the Cannon is a great asset for attack.

The red Cannon bears the character for 'cannon' 炮 (pào), while the green Cannon has the character for 'catapult' 砲 (pào), however both are pronounced exactly the same. 

The Soldiers or Pawns

The Soldiers, sometimes called Pawns by English-speaking players, are only able to move one space forward at a time. However, if a Soldier crosses the river he can break ranks and move left and right as well. A Soldier cannot retreat, so if he manages to reach the far side of the board he will only be able to move left and right. Also, if your Soldier does make it to the opponent's side, it is not possible to exchange him for another, stronger piece, as is possible in Western chess.

The red Soldier's character is 兵 (bīng), the green Soldier's is 卒 (zú), both meaning 'soldier'.

The red army has lost the game

Rules

In Chinese chess the red army always makes the first move. The aim of the game is very similar to Western chess. The object is to attack the opposing side by moving one piece at a time in order to take or 'checkmate' their General. A checkmate is where a player's General has no legal move to avoid being taken by their opponent, just like in the Western variant.

It is also possible to lose the game through 'stalemate', unlike Western chess where stalemate results in a draw. If none of your pieces are able to make a legal move then you have been stalemated and you lose the game. It is possible for a game of Chinese chess to be declared a draw, but only where it is impossible for either side to checkmate or stalemate the other.

It is not allowed to repeatedly checkmate your opponents General with the same piece in the same position, you may only do this up to three times, after which you must look for another avenue of attack. Similarly, you cannot force an opposing piece to move back and forth from one point to another in order to evade capture. If this happens then the attacking piece must break off his advance. The reason for these rules is to prevent the same two moves to continue on ad infinitum until one player finally breaks it off. In short, this keeps the game moving.

Where to play

In the summer Chinese parks are full of groups of men all hunched over a game of chess. Not just the parks though, you'll find games happening on street corners, on upended crates at the market and, of course, people play at home too. Only two people can play at a time, but it's not uncommon for one game to have up to ten spectators. If you've never played before, why not ask a Chinese friend to play with you, that way you can cut your teeth against an experienced, though patient, opponent. If you want to buy your own set, you can probably pick a good one up at your local market for around 30 RMB. There are even some electronic versions of the game that you download for free to play on your computer. This should give you plenty opportunity to hone your skills before challenging one of the chess masters in the park. 

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