Three Kingdoms chess:象棋

Imagine a chess game that masterfully weaves the epic narrative of the Three Kingdoms into its fabric, offering a variety of engaging gameplay modes. This game not only allows players to conquer all levels and challenge iconic heroes but also provides a swift learning curve for mastering chess endgames. Xiangqi, a traditional Chinese chess variant, is a two-player strategy game with a rich history. Its simple yet intriguing pieces have made it a beloved pastime across generations.

Chess Pieces

Xiangqi features a total of thirty-two pieces, split into two teams: red and black. Each team comprises sixteen pieces, categorized into seven distinct types. Here's a breakdown of the pieces:

• Red Pieces: One handsome, two rooks, two horses, two cannons, two advisors (shi), two elephants (phase), and five soldiers.
• Black Pieces: One general (will), two rooks, two horses, two cannons, two advisors (shi), two elephants, and five pawns.

Handsome/General (Will)

The red side's leader is called the "handsome," while the black side's is the "general" or "will." These pieces are pivotal targets in the game. They can move only within the "nine palaces" and can move one square horizontally or vertically at a time. Importantly, the handsome and the general cannot face each other directly on the same vertical line, as this results in an immediate loss for the player whose turn it is.

Advisors/Taxis (Shi)

The "shi" or advisors can only move diagonally within the nine palaces, one square at a time. Their movement is restricted to the diagonal lines within this area.

Elephants/Phases

The "phase" for the red side and "elephant" for the black side move diagonally two squares at a time, a move known as "elephant flying field." Their movement is confined to their respective sides of the "river" and blocked if another piece occupies the middle square of their path, a situation known as "plugging the elephant's eye."

Rook (Jū)

The rook is the most powerful piece in Xiangqi, capable of moving any number of squares along a straight line, either horizontally or vertically, as long as no piece blocks its path. This is known as "car straight road," allowing the rook to control up to seventeen points.

Cannon

The cannon moves like the rook when not capturing an opponent's piece. However, to capture, it must jump over exactly one piece, whether friendly or enemy, a move called "shelling the partition" or "over the mountain."

Horse

The horse moves in an "L" shape, one square in one direction and then one square diagonally. This move is referred to as "horse walking day," allowing the horse to reach eight different points. If another piece blocks the horse's initial move, it cannot proceed, a situation known as "trapping the horse's leg."

Soldiers/Pawns

The red "soldiers" and black "pawns" move forward one square at a time and cannot move backward. Before crossing the river, they cannot move sideways. After crossing, they gain the ability to move one square left or right. This increased mobility significantly enhances their power, leading to the saying, "small pawns crossing the river top cart."

In Xiangqi, players alternate turns, embodying the strategic philosophies from Sun Tzu's "Art of War," such as "subduing the enemy without fighting" and "winning with wisdom." The game ends with a checkmate or capture of the opponent's general (handsome). The red side moves first, and the game continues until a win, loss, or draw is determined. Through the intricate dynamics of attack and defense, players sharpen their cognitive skills, navigating the game's complexities with finesse and strategy.