Play Xiangqi online, together
Play Chinese Chess with a friend, join a public opponent, or practise against AI. No account or download is required, and private games can use optional video chat.
Before the first move
Xiangqi shares the idea of checkmate with Chess, but the palace, river, and cannon create a very different board. These three rules are the quickest orientation.
Protect the general inside the palace
The general moves one point orthogonally and stays inside the nine-point palace. The two generals may not face each other on an open file.
Cannons capture over one screen
A cannon moves like a chariot when not capturing. To capture, it must jump over exactly one intervening piece before landing on the target.
The river changes the board
Elephants cannot cross the river, while soldiers gain sideways movement after they cross it. Checkmate the opposing general to win.
Play a game here
Practise against AI, invite a friend to a private board, or join a public game when you want a human opponent quickly.
No signup step is required. Choose a name and start playing.
Xiangqi
Questions before you play
Can I play Xiangqi with one friend?
Yes. Start a private two-player game and share the invite link. Optional video chat can stay beside the board.
Can I practise Xiangqi against AI?
Yes. Solo mode gives you a computer-controlled opponent without waiting for another player.
How does a cannon capture?
A cannon must have exactly one piece between itself and the target when it captures. Without a capture, it moves along open ranks and files like a chariot.
Is Xiangqi the same as Western Chess?
No. Both games revolve around checkmating a royal piece, but Xiangqi uses a palace, a river, cannons, and different movement rules.
Start a Xiangqi room
Invite a friend with one private link, practise against AI, or join a public opponent. Everything runs in your browser.