Chinese Chess — Xiangqi Web App
Goal: checkmate the enemy General — leave it under attack with no legal escape.
Click one of your pieces. Its legal moves appear as green dots (empty squares) and red rings (captures). Click a marker to move there, or click the piece again to deselect. Red moves first.
Where every piece begins — your side (bright, gold ring) at the bottom, the opponent (darker, dark ring) at the top, the river across the middle. Each colour marks a piece type (matching the guides below).
One step up, down, left or right — never leaves the palace.
One step diagonally, also staying inside the palace.
Two points diagonally; blocked if the midpoint is occupied. Can't cross the river.
One step straight, then one diagonal (an “L”). A piece beside it blocks that leg.
Any distance in a straight line, like a rook.
Moves like a chariot — but to capture it must jump exactly one piece (the “screen”).
One step forward. After crossing the river it may also step sideways (faded). Never backward.
Endlessly repeating a position is judged: forcing a perpetual check or a perpetual chase of an unprotected piece loses for the offender. Other repetitions (idle shuffles, even exchanges) are a draw.
Tick “AI plays Black” to play against the engine, and pick a Difficulty. Untick it to play another person on the same screen.
Host a room (share the PIN) or tap the ET room, and have friends join from their own computers. The front two play; everyone else watches the live board. The winner stays on, the loser goes to the back of the line, colours swap each game, and the host taps Start next match ▶ between games.