Three Kingdoms chess:象棋

A chess game that combines the theme of the Three Kingdoms, adding various modes of gameplay, allows players to conquer all levels, challenge all heroes, and quickly study the chess endgame. Xiangqi, a type of chess originating in China, is a popular two-player confrontation game with a rich history. The simplicity and fun of the chess pieces have made Xiangqi a widely enjoyed activity.

Chess Pieces

Xiangqi features thirty-two chess pieces, divided into two groups: red and black. Each group consists of sixteen pieces, categorized into seven types. The names and quantities are as follows:

• Red Chess Pieces: one handsome, two rooks, two horses, two cannons, two phases, two shi, and five soldiers.
• Black Chess Pieces: one rook, two horses, two cannons, two elephants, and five pawns.

Handsome / General

The red side is represented by "handsome," while the black side uses "general." Both are the leaders in the game and the primary targets. They can only move within the "nine palaces," moving up, down, left, or right one square at a time. The handsome and general cannot face each other directly on the same line, as this results in an immediate loss for the moving player.

Gentlemen / Advisors

The red side has "shi," and the black side has "advisors." These pieces are also confined to the nine palaces and can only move diagonally within this area, one square at a time.

Phase / Elephant

The red side features "phase," while the black side has "elephants." They move diagonally two squares at a time, known as "flying field." Their movement is restricted to their half of the board and cannot cross the river. If another piece blocks the middle square of their path, they cannot move, a situation known as "blocking the elephant's eye."

Rook (Chariot)

The rook is the most powerful piece in Xiangqi, capable of moving any number of squares along a horizontal or vertical line, as long as no other piece blocks its path. This is known as "the chariot's straight path." A rook can control up to seventeen points, earning it the nickname "one chariot equals ten soldiers."

Cannon

The cannon moves like a rook when not capturing, but to capture, it must jump over exactly one piece, either friendly or enemy, known as "firing over a screen" or "crossing the mountain."

Horse

The horse moves in an "L" shape, first moving one square horizontally or vertically, then one square diagonally. This movement is called "the horse's day." It can reach up to eight points around it, known as "eight directions of majesty." If another piece blocks the first square of its move, the horse cannot jump, a situation called "tripping the horse's leg."

Soldiers / Pawns

The red side has "soldiers," and the black side has "pawns." They can only move forward and not backward. Before crossing the river, they cannot move sideways. After crossing, they gain the ability to move left or right but still only one square at a time. This change significantly enhances their power, leading to the saying "small pawns crossing the river can challenge the chariot."

Players take turns moving their pieces, embodying the combat philosophy from Sun Tzu's "Art of War" of "subduing the enemy without fighting." The objective is to checkmate or trap the opponent's general (handsome). The game starts with the red side moving first, and continues until a win, loss, or draw is determined. Through the complexities of attack and defense, feints, and overall strategy, players can enhance their cognitive abilities.

This unique blend of the Three Kingdoms theme with Xiangqi not only enriches the gaming experience but also offers a strategic depth that appeals to both chess enthusiasts and fans of historical narratives.