CHINESE CHESS, IN YOUR BROWSER.
Play Xiangqi online. A classic with a different rhythm.
A river divides the board. Palaces shelter the generals. Cannons turn an ordinary line of pieces into a threat. Learn Xiangqi one move at a time.
- 9 × 10Play on the intersections
- Red startsSixteen pieces per side
- Free to playNo account required
Chinese characters have small Latin labels; focus or hover to read the piece name.
Select a piece to highlight safe destinations.
Local and computer games have separate browser saves.
Open the board and choose a mode
Play opens a local board. Same device is for two people sharing a screen. Play with a friend creates a private room link. Vs computer opens the Easy, Medium and Hard difficulty choices.
No account or download is required. A modern browser loads the game only after you open the board.
Understand the board
Red moves first on a grid of nine files and ten ranks. Each side has sixteen pieces, placed on intersections. Select a piece and a highlighted destination. A move must leave your general safe; checkmate or having no legal move loses the game.
Chariots move any clear distance horizontally or vertically. Cannons move the same way without capturing; to capture, a cannon must jump exactly one piece of either color and land on an enemy piece.
Read the full movement guide for horses, elephants, soldiers and palace pieces.
Pick who sits across from you
Share one device for a local game. To play remotely, send a private invitation to someone you know. There is no random matchmaking.
The computer opponent runs in your browser. You play Red and make the first move.
Come back to your position
Local and computer games save separately when browser storage is available. Online rooms save confirmed moves on the server. Return in the same browser with the same invitation to recover your seat; inactive rooms expire after seven days.
GOOD TO KNOW
Xiangqi Online FAQ
Does online mean I will face a random opponent?
No. The default is a local board. Remote play uses a private invitation to your chosen friend.
Can I play Xiangqi against a computer?
Yes. Select Vs computer and choose Easy, Medium or Hard.
Is stalemate a draw?
No. A player with no legal move loses, even when the general is not in check.
Does this use tournament repetition adjudication?
It uses disclosed casual rules: a perpetual checker loses on the third occurrence; other repetitions draw. Tournament chase adjudication is not implemented.