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 Xiangqi set features pieces with symbols that represent the Chinese characters, so that you don’t have to read Chinese in order to play. The wooden discs also have the Chinese characters on the other side, for those who do read Chinese script, or simply prefer the traditional look. This solid wood game set features a folding game board that clasps shut to store the playing pieces safely inside, and comes with 32 wooden disc pieces – 16 red and 16 green. It also includes a 26 page illustrated instruction booklet which provides history, game rules, and sample games.

The Monkey King is the lead character in the classic Chinese epic 'Journey to the West', and is the subject of countless anime, manga, and television characters. This Chinese chess set contains the Monkey King and numerous other characters from the book. Unlike many character-themed chess games in which characters are simply duplicated in different colors on each side, this set contains an entirely different case from one side to the other, giving the game a unique level of interest.

This critically-acclaimed Chinese Chess game for PalmOS is a stimulating and interesting alternative to western Chess, renowned for its superb playability for players of all levels from beginner to expert. Just like western Chess, the aim of the game is to capture your opponent's King. You have seven pieces at your disposal, each with their own rules of movement. The board includes diagonal lines as well as horizontal ones, and pieces move along lines stopping where they intersect. The blank area in the middle of the board represents the Yellow River that divides north and south China. The major pieces in Chinese Chess come into play much quicker, allowing for a faster and less drawn out game. Whatever level of Chinese Chess you play at, you can be sure that Chinese Chess Professional will give you a stimulating and challenging game.

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.

C. K. Lai is a well known Xiangqi player and enthusiast who has written and translated a dozen books on the subject, among them Chinese Chess, An Introduction To The Openings, Checkmate In Two, and Chess Of The Wuzhi Mountain. With a few Xiangqi friends he promoted the game in Britain some two decades ago, helping to create the UK Chinese Chess Association. He is certainly at the forefront of promotion of the game in Britain. One of C. K. Lai's high achievements in Xiangqi competitions was in 1994 when he won the 11th European Xiangqi Championship held in Amsterdam. He also won on several occasions the UK Xiangqi Championship. He is Editor of Chinese Chess Cyber Newsletter, which attracts many Xiangqi followers.

Designed as a textbook for beginners, this cutting-edge guide to Chinese Chess incorporates the latest ideas and examples from enthusiasts and championship play. Chapter summaries and exercises focus on important points. This book reflects the latest thinking among leading Xiangqi players around the world, and incorporates terminology adopted by the World Xiangqi Federation. It provides probability-based evaluation of pieces at the opening, in the midgame, and at the endgame, categorizing moves into attacking, defensive, and tactical.

The purpose of the Premier Series on Elephant is to acquaint readers with important literature and exciting gamesto advance their playing skills international play. This book includes information on Elephant's historical development, its triple-threat versatility, millennium-old games with valuable pedagogical insights, Elephant's role at the opening phase (featuring 8 major defenses with variations), Elephant's role at the mid-game, and Elephant's role in the endgame and in international competition.

ItsYourTurn.com

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.

Play Chinese Chess / Xiangqi / co tuong / cotuong online with other people.

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.

An online encyclopedia article on Xiangqi, from the Wikipedia. Includes backgraound, rules, and links.

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.