Three Kingdoms chess:象棋

Immerse yourself in a unique chess experience with a game that masterfully blends the epic narrative of the Three Kingdoms with the strategic depth of Xiangqi, a traditional Chinese chess game. This innovative chess variant not only challenges players to conquer various levels and confront legendary heroes but also offers a quick dive into the intricacies of chess endgames. Xiangqi, with its origins deeply rooted in Chinese culture, is a two-player strategic confrontation that boasts a rich history. The simplicity and engaging nature of its pieces have cemented Xiangqi as a beloved pastime across generations.

Chessmen

In Xiangqi, you'll find a total of thirty-two chess pieces, evenly divided into two opposing groups: red and black. Each group comprises sixteen pieces, categorized into seven distinct types. Here's a breakdown of the pieces:

• 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's leader is called the "handsome" while the black side's is the "general". These pieces are central to the game, representing the ultimate targets for both sides. Their movement is restricted to the "nine houses" or "palace," where they can move one square at a time, either horizontally or vertically. A crucial rule to remember: if the handsome and general face each other directly on the same vertical line, the moving player is declared the loser.

Shi / Advisor

Known as "shi" on the red side and "advisor" on the black side, these pieces are also confined to the nine palaces. They move diagonally, but only one square at a time, enhancing the strategic complexity within the palace area.

Phase / Elephant

The "phase" on the red side and the "elephant" on the black side move in a unique pattern, traversing two squares diagonally at a time, a movement often referred to as "elephant flying field." Their movement is limited to their half of the board, unable to cross the river. Additionally, if another piece blocks the center square of their potential move, known as "blocking the elephant's eye," they cannot proceed.

Rook (Car)

The rook, or "car," is the most powerful piece on the board, capable of moving any number of squares along ranks or files, as long as no other piece blocks its path. This ability to control up to seventeen points on the board has earned it the nickname "one car and ten children."

Cannon

The cannon's movement mirrors the rook's when not capturing, but to capture an opponent's piece, it must leap over exactly one intervening piece, a maneuver known as "shelling the partition" or "over the mountain."

Horse

The horse moves in an "L" shape, either moving two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicularly, or vice versa. This unique movement pattern, known as "horse walking day," allows it to reach up to eight points around it. However, if another piece blocks the first square of its move, the horse's movement is obstructed, a situation referred to as "trapped horse legs."

Soldiers / Pawns

The red "soldiers" and black "pawns" can only move forward, one square at a time, and cannot move sideways until they cross the river. Once across, their mobility increases, allowing them to also move left or right. This enhanced capability has led to the saying "small pawns crossing the river top cart," reflecting their increased strategic importance.

In this game, players alternate turns, embodying the strategic philosophies of Sun Tzu's Art of War, aiming to "checkmate" or "trap" the opponent's general or handsome. The game begins with the red side making the first move, and continues until a win, loss, or draw is determined. Engaging in Xiangqi battles not only offers thrilling gameplay but also sharpens players' strategic thinking and analytical skills through the complex interplay of attack and defense, feints and realities, and the management of both the overall and specific elements of the game.

Three Kingdoms chess:象棋 Screenshots