Chinese Chess, known as "Elephant Chess" or "Xiangqi" (pronounced "Shiang-Chi") in China, is an ancient game nearly 2000 years old, and played by millions of people the world over.

The game board consists of two sides: the "northern territory" (typically using blue pieces) and the "southern territory" (using red), separated by a space called "the river". Each territory contains a "king's palace", and the objective it to capture your opponent's king, while simultaneously protecting your own king. Each side starts with 16 pieces. Red moves first, and each side makes one move at a time.

Although played by Chinese people around the world, until recently it was virtually unknown among westerners. Chinese Chess is a relative of western Chess, but the many differences result in a more wide-open and aggressive contest.

Photo courtesy of Ishi Press International, publisher of First Syllabus on Xiangqi : Chinese Chess 1.

Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Games & Books

Chinese Chess Set  BUY NOW  $14.99

Chinese Chess, or Xiangqi, is possibly the most popular board game in the world! Enjoyed by millions of people in China and other parts of Asia, this game will be enjoyed in your house as well. The folding wood board measures 11-1/4" by 12-1/4" by 7/16". The 32 playing pieces are ivory colored and measure just over 1" in diameter and 5/16" thick.

This book provides everything that the beginner needs to know about the fascinating game of Chinese Chess. The initial chapters explain the basics of the game. Subsequent chapters show how play is developed and offer advice, as well as giving tips, on strategy and improving your skill. Finally, there is a brief history of the game and additional reference material. This pack contains a detailed play guide and strategic hints and tips for the game, along with a colorful board and the 32 pieces used in play. You can also play Korean Chess using this board and pieces.

Chinese chess, or xianqi, is an extraordinary game in which the endless tactical subtleties are far more important than the eventual outcome. It has a distinguished history. Tamerlane, the brilliant but ferocious Mongol warrior who became the scourge of Asia in the 14th century, was utterly obsessed by it. The military who saw it as a perfect way to try out strategies and tactics that would stand them in good stead on the battlefield have always favored the game. The fascination of xianqi is very wide and with the Chinese Chess Pack you have everything you need to master the game. As well as a board and play pieces, this pack includes a book that not only explains the moves and rules, but also describes tactics in detail, the all-important endgame, and some of the dirty tricks you may expect from your opponents. The whole book is beautifully illustrated to make the instructions crystal clear.

H. T. Lau introduces Chinese chess to Westerners, discussing issues such as the board, the movement and values of the pieces, and basic rules for capturing and defeating an opponent with the aid of 170 diagrams. Suggested end games and opening strategies are given as required reading for the beginner. Finally, this artfully simple book concludes with two appendices devoted to the elegantly constructed games found in "The Secret Inside the Orange and "The Plum-Blossom Meter, two classic seventeenth-century works on Chinese chess.

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Play free online games including Chinese Chess (Xiangqi), Backgammon, Battleboats (Battleship), Chess, Checkers, Othello, Pente, and more - over 40 different games and variations. No Java, no downloads. Tournaments and extensive message boards are part of this active community.

If you're familiar with the Western game of chess, you'll find much that is familiar in Xiangqi, but also much that is strange and new. This web site will help you to sort out the differences.

This portion of the Chess Variants site includes information about Xiangqi, history of the game, rules, links, and much more.

Here you will find the largest database of xiangqi master games available on the Web, which can be viewed online or downloaded for study. The site also has news in both English and Chinese, many links, and a list of worldwide clubs.

XiangQi (Chinese Chess) Home Page, XiangQi game collections, free Java XiangQi viewer, free XiangQi Software.

A Chinese chess teaching ptrogram. The computer challenges your techniques and provides many computer players with different levels. Whoever you are, beginner or expert, you will have fun playing against it. It also learns from your good moves, so be careful! Shareware $15.00.

A computer program that plays Chinese Chess. The program includes multiple skill levels, undo/redo, the ability to edit boards and switch sides, game save/restore, on-screen clocks, and more. Shareware $21.00.

Xiang plays Chinese Chess in your Palm. There are three skill levels. It comes with a graphical chess set and so you can play even you do not read Chinese. Color version is available. Requires PalmPilot. Shareware $12.00.