A chess game that combines the theme of the Three Kingdoms, adding various modes of gameplay, can pass all levels, challenge all heroes, and can also quickly study the chess endgame. Xiangqi, a type of chess that originated in China, is a two-player confrontation game with a rich history. Due to the simplicity and enjoyment of the chess pieces, it has become a highly popular chess activity.

Chess Pieces

There are thirty-two chess pieces, divided into two groups: red and black. Each group consists of sixteen pieces, categorized into seven types. The names and quantities are as follows:

• Red Chess Pieces: One handsome, two rooks, two horses, two cannons, two phases, two shi, and five soldiers.
• Black Chess Pieces: One general, two horses, two cannons, two elephants, two advisors, and five pawns.

Handsome/General

The red side uses "handsome" and the black side uses "general." These pieces represent the leaders in the game and are the primary targets. They can only move within the "nine palaces," moving one square at a time either vertically or horizontally. The handsome and general cannot face each other directly on the same vertical line, as this results in an immediate loss for the moving side.

Shi/Advisor

The red side uses "shi" and the black side uses "advisor." These pieces are also confined to the "nine palaces" and can only move diagonally within this area, one square at a time.

Phase/Elephant

The red side uses "phase" and the black side uses "elephant." They move diagonally two squares at a time, known as "elephant flying field." Their movement is restricted to their own side of the "river boundary" and cannot cross the river. If a piece blocks the center of the "field" they are moving through, they cannot move, a situation known as "blocking the elephant's eye."

Rook/Chariot

The rook, or chariot, is the most powerful piece in Xiangqi. It can move any number of squares along a straight line, either horizontally or vertically, as long as no piece blocks its path. This is known as "the chariot's straight path." A rook can control up to seventeen points, hence the saying "one chariot can handle ten pieces."

Cannon

The cannon moves like the rook when not capturing a piece. However, to capture, it must jump over exactly one piece, whether friendly or enemy, known as "firing over a screen" or "crossing the mountain."

Horse/Knight

The horse, or knight, moves in an "L" shape, first moving one square horizontally or vertically, then one square diagonally. This movement is known as "the horse's day move." It can reach up to eight points around it, hence the phrase "eight directions of majesty." If another piece blocks its path, the horse cannot move, a situation called "tripping the horse's leg."

Soldier/Pawn

The red side uses "soldier" and the black side uses "pawn." Soldiers and pawns can only move forward, not backward, and cannot move sideways before crossing the river. After crossing the river, they can also move left and right, but only one square at a time. This movement significantly increases their power, leading to the saying "small pawns crossing the river can challenge the chariot."

Players take turns moving their pieces, adhering to the combat philosophy of "winning without fighting" from Sun Tzu's Art of War. The objective is to "checkmate" or "trap" the opponent's general (handsome). The red side moves first, and the game continues until a win, loss, or draw is determined. Through the complex interplay of attack and defense, reality and deception, and overall and local strategies, players can enhance their cognitive abilities.