Three Kingdoms chess:象棋

A chess game that masterfully weaves the epic narrative of the Three Kingdoms into its fabric offers a unique blend of strategy and historical intrigue. With a variety of gameplay modes, players can navigate through all levels, challenge legendary heroes, and delve deeply into the study of chess endgames. Xiangqi, a form of chess that originated in China, is a two-player strategy game with a rich history. Its simplicity in design and engaging gameplay have made it a beloved pastime across the globe.

Chessmen

Xiangqi features 32 chess pieces, evenly divided between two teams, red and black, with each team comprising 16 pieces. These are categorized into seven types, listed as follows:

• Red chess pieces: one General (Handsome), two Chariots (Rooks), two Horses, two Cannons, two Advisors (Shi), two Elephants (Phase), and five Soldiers.
• Black chess pieces: one General (Will), two Chariots, two Horses, two Cannons, two Advisors (Taxis), two Elephants, and five Pawns.

General (Handsome/Will)

The red team's leader is called "Handsome," while the black team's leader is "Will." As the central figure in the game, both sides aim to capture the opponent's General. Movement is restricted to the "palace" or "nine houses," allowing only horizontal or vertical moves one square at a time. If the Handsome and Will face each other directly along the same line, the player who moved into this position loses.

Advisors (Shi/Taxis)

Red Advisors are referred to as "Shi," while black ones are "Taxis." Their movement is confined to the palace, moving diagonally one square at a time.

Elephants (Phase/Image)

The red Elephants are known as "Phase," and the black ones as "Elephants." They move diagonally two squares at a time, known as "flying the field." Their movement is limited to their half of the board and cannot cross the river. If a piece occupies the center of the "field" they aim to move through, they are blocked, a situation known as "blocking the elephant's eye."

Chariots (Car/Jū)

The Chariot, or "Car," is the most powerful piece in Xiangqi. It moves any number of squares along ranks or files, unhindered by other pieces, often referred to as "driving straight." A Chariot can control up to seventeen squares, hence the saying, "one Chariot equals ten pieces."

Cannons

Cannons move like Chariots when not capturing but must jump over one piece to capture another, whether it's an ally or an enemy piece. This is known as "firing across the screen" or "over the mountain."

Horses

Horses move in an "L" shape, always starting with a one-square move along a rank or file followed by a diagonal move, known as "horse stepping day." They can reach up to eight surrounding squares, hence the phrase "eight directions of majesty." If another piece blocks their initial move, the Horse cannot jump over it, a situation referred to as "tying the horse's legs."

Soldiers/Pawns

Red Soldiers and black Pawns move forward one square at a time but cannot retreat. Before crossing the river, they cannot move sideways. After crossing, they gain the ability to move laterally, enhancing their strategic value, leading to the saying, "small pawns crossing the river can challenge the Chariot."

In Xiangqi, players alternate turns, embodying the strategic principles from Sun Tzu's "Art of War," aiming to checkmate or trap the opponent's General. The red player moves first, and the game continues until a victory, defeat, or draw is determined. Through the intricate interplay of attack, defense, feints, and overall strategy, players can sharpen their cognitive skills and strategic thinking.