Side project
Chinese Chess (Xiangqi / 象棋)
Authentic Chinese Chess (象棋) built with full legal move generation, traditional calligraphy pieces, woodgrain board rendering, and intelligent Minimax AI.
Chinese Chess · 象棋 (Xiangqi)
Command traditional lacquer pieces across the Chu River and Han Border (楚河·漢界).
Rules, Piece Movements & Tactics Guide (象棋規則與走法)
帥 / 將 (General / King)
Moves 1 step orthogonally (up/down/left/right) strictly within the 3×3 Palace (九宮). Flying General (飛將) Rule: The two Generals may never face each other directly on an open file with no intervening pieces.
仕 / 士 (Advisor / Guard)
Moves 1 step diagonally strictly within the 5 designated points of the Palace to protect the General.
相 / 象 (Elephant / Minister)
Moves exactly 2 steps diagonally. Cannot cross the Chu River (楚河). Obstruction (塞象眼): If a piece occupies the center of the 2×2 jump, the move is blocked.
傌 / 馬 (Horse / Knight)
Moves in an "L" shape (1 step orthogonal, then 1 step diagonal outward). Leg Block (拐馬腳): If a piece is immediately adjacent in the orthogonal direction of movement, the horse cannot jump.
俥 / 車 (Chariot / Rook)
Moves any number of unoccupied points orthogonally along straight ranks and files. Captures by replacing enemy pieces.
炮 / 砲 (Cannon)
Moves like a Chariot when not capturing. Screen Capture (炮架): Must jump over exactly ONE intervening piece (friend or foe) along a straight line to capture an enemy piece.
兵 / 卒 (Soldier / Pawn)
Before crossing the river: Moves 1 step forward only. After crossing the river: Gains lateral movement (moves 1 step forward, left, or right). Cannot move backward.
Stalemate (困斃)
In authentic Chinese Chess tournament rules, if a player has no legal moves on their turn, they are stalemated and lose the game.