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'''Xiang qi''' (Chinese: 象棋 pinyin: xiàngqí) (sometimes '''xiangqi''' or '''Chinese chess''') is a two player strategy game similar to chess that developed in ancient China. It is a very popular game in modern China.<ref>Li, Siqi, Mr. "Chinese Chess." Personal interview. 18 Jan. 2017. ''This is a pseudonym to protect the interviewee's identity.''</ref>

'''Xiang qi''' (Chinese: 象棋 pinyin: xiàngqí) (sometimes '''xiangqi''' or '''Chinese chess''') is a two player strategy game similar to chess that developed in ancient China. It is a very popular game in modern China.<ref name=siqi>Li, Siqi, Mr. "Chinese Chess." Personal interview. 18 Jan. 2017. ''This is a pseudonym to protect the interviewee's identity.''</ref>

==The pieces==

==The pieces==

===The general===

===The general===

The '''General''' (Chinese: 将/帅  pinyin: jiàng (general) and shuài (marshall), respectively) starts the game at the midpoint of the back edge, within the Palace. The general may move and capture one point orthogonally, with the following exception, but may not leave the Palace.

The '''General''' (Chinese: 将/帅  pinyin: jiàng (general) and shuài (marshall), respectively)<ref name=yumei>Zhou, Yumei, Ms. "Chinese Chess." Personal interview. 22 Jan. 2017. ''This is a pseudonym to protect the interviewee's identity.''</ref> starts the game at the midpoint of the back edge, within the Palace. The general may move and capture one point orthogonally, with the following exception, but may not leave the Palace.<ref name=siqi/>

The two generals may not face each other along the same file with no intervening pieces. If that happens, the flying general (Chinese: 飛將 pinyin: fēi jiāng) move may be executed, in which the general to move may cross the board to capture the enemy general. In practice, this rule is only used to enforce checkmate. The general may not leave the Palace except when executing the flying general move.

The two generals may not face each other along the same file with no intervening pieces. If that happens, the flying general (Chinese: 飛將 pinyin: fēi jiāng)<ref name=yumei> move may be executed, in which the general to move may cross the board to capture the enemy general. In practice, this rule is only used to enforce checkmate. The general may not leave the Palace except when executing the flying general move.

===The advisors===

===The advisors===

'''Advisors''' (Chinese: 士/仕 pinyin: shì (advisor) and shì (official/guardian), respectively) start on either side of the general. They move and capture one point diagonally and may not leave the Palace. Their sole purpose is to protect the General.

'''Advisors''' (Chinese: 士/仕 pinyin: shì (advisor) and shì (official/guardian), respectively)<ref name=siqi/><ref name=yumei/> start on either side of the general. They move and capture one point diagonally and may not leave the Palace. Their sole purpose is to protect the General.

===The elephants===

===The elephants===

'''Elephants''' (Chinese: 象/相 pinyin: xiàng (elephant) and xiàng (minister), respectively) for Red. They are located next to the advisors. These pieces move and capture exactly two points diagonally and may not jump over intervening pieces. If an elephant cannot move due to a diagonally adjacent piece, it is known as "blocking the elephant's eye" (Chinese: 塞象眼 pinyin: sāi xiangyǎn).

'''Elephants''' (Chinese: 象/相 pinyin: xiàng (elephant) and xiàng (minister), respectively)<ref name=yumei/> for Red. They are located next to the advisors. These pieces move and capture exactly two points diagonally and may not jump over intervening pieces. If an elephant cannot move due to a diagonally adjacent piece, it is known as "blocking the elephant's eye" (Chinese: 塞象眼 pinyin: sāi xiangyǎn).

Elephants may not cross the River, and serve as defensive pieces. Because an elephant's movement is restricted to just seven board positions, it can be easily trapped or threatened. The two elephants are often used in conjunction to defend each other.

Elephants may not cross the River, and serve as defensive pieces. Because an elephant's movement is restricted to just seven board positions, it can be easily trapped or threatened. The two elephants are often used in conjunction to defend each other.

Note that elephant and minister are homophones. However, both are referred to as elephants for the purpose of the game.

Note that elephant and minister are homophones. However, both are referred to as elephants for the purpose of the game.

===The horses===

===The horses===

'''Horses''' (Chinese: 馬/傌 pinyin: mǎ (horse) and mà (horse), respectively) begin the game next to the elephants, on their outside flanks. A horse moves and captures one point orthogonally and then one point diagonally away from its former position. The horse does not jump as the knight does in Western chess, and can be blocked by a piece located one point horizontally or vertically adjacent to it. Blocking a horse is called "hobbling the horse's leg" (Chinese: 蹩馬腿 pinyin: bié mǎ tuǐ).

'''Horses''' (Chinese: 馬/傌 pinyin: mǎ (horse) and mà (horse), respectively) begin the game next to the elephants, on their outside flanks. A horse moves and captures one point orthogonally and then one point diagonally away from its former position. The horse does not jump as the knight does in Western chess, and can be blocked by a piece located one point horizontally or vertically adjacent to it. Blocking a horse is called "hobbling the horse's leg" (Chinese: 蹩馬腿 pinyin: bié mǎ tuǐ).

*When both sides violate the same rule at the same time and both persist in not making an alternate move, the game can be ruled as a draw.

*When both sides violate the same rule at the same time and both persist in not making an alternate move, the game can be ruled as a draw.

Different sets of rules set different limits on what is considered perpetual. For example, club xiang qi rules allow a player to check or chase six consecutive times using one piece, twelve times using two pieces, and eighteen times using three pieces before considering the action perpetual.

Different sets of rules set different limits on what is considered perpetual. For example, club xiang qi rules allow a player to check or chase six consecutive times using one piece, twelve times using two pieces, and eighteen times using three pieces before considering the action perpetual.<ref name=thu>Nguyen, Thu, Mr. "Chinese Chess." Personal interview. 21 Jan. 2017. ''This is a pseudonym to protect the interviewee's identity.''</ref>

===Beginner's strategy===

===Beginner's strategy===

The most common opening move is the Red cannon to the middle file, behind the middle soldier. Black may either respond with a mirroring move, or may move a horse into a position to protect its middle soldier. Any move deviating from those two (such as an elephant into the middle soldier's file) are risky at best, as Red has taken a piece for free and puts the General into check. While mirroring Red's cannon move does put the General into check if Red takes the Black's middle soldier, Black may again mirror Red's move, taking the middle soldier on the red side. This alleviates all pressure on Black to defend his general from a cannon attack.

The most common opening move is the Red cannon to the middle file, behind the middle soldier. Black may either respond with a mirroring move, or may move a horse into a position to protect its middle soldier. Any move deviating from those two (such as an elephant into the middle soldier's file) are risky at best, as Red has taken a piece for free and puts the General into check. While mirroring Red's cannon move does put the General into check if Red takes the Black's middle soldier, Black may again mirror Red's move, taking the middle soldier on the red side. This alleviates all pressure on Black to defend his general from a cannon attack.<ref name=thu/>

==See also==

==See also==