Xiangqi
Chinese chess against four AI levels, a friend or players online
Play xiangqi (Chinese chess) free in your browser against four computer levels, a friend on the same device, or opponents online, with full rules and guides.
Features
Four AI levels
Three in-house levels for learning and a master level built on an open-source xiangqi engine.
Online and local play
Quick matching, private rooms with a clock, or two players taking turns on one device.
Beginner-friendly board
Tap a piece and every legal destination lights up, with a short note on how that piece moves.
Rules and history
Guides to the board, notation, openings, common checkmates, draws and the history of the game.
How it works
- 1
Pick an opponent
Play the computer at one of four levels, a friend on the same device, or someone online.
- 2
Tap a piece, then a point
Select a piece to see where it can go, then tap the destination or drag the piece there.
- 3
Checkmate the general
Trap the enemy general with no escape, or leave your opponent with no legal move, to win.
About the game
Xiangqi, often called Chinese chess, is played on a board of 9 files and 10 ranks divided by a river. Red moves first. Each piece has its own movement: the chariot moves like a rook, the horse steps one point straight and then one diagonally and can be blocked, and the cannon captures only by jumping over exactly one piece. Generals and advisors stay inside the palace, and the two generals may never face each other on an open file. You win by checkmating the enemy general or by leaving your opponent without a legal move.
The site is designed for players who are new to the game as much as for those who already know it. Selecting a piece lights up every legal destination, so the rules can be learned while playing.
What we built
Seriauth wrote the rules engine, move notation and three computer levels in house. The master level runs a dedicated xiangqi engine in the browser. Games against the computer include undo, a move list that can be reviewed, a flip-board option and a computer opponent that comments in short chat lines. Online play offers quick matching, private rooms with a configurable clock, draw offers, rematches and moderated chat between the two players. A learning section covers rules, pieces, notation, openings, checkmates and xiangqi sayings, in 11 languages.
FAQ
Do I need to know Chinese characters to play?
No. When you select a piece, the game highlights its legal moves and explains in your language how that piece moves.
How does online play work?
Choose quick matching or create a private room and share the link. Games are timed, and you can offer a draw or ask for a rematch.
Can two people play on one device?
Yes. The two-player mode lets you take turns on the same phone or computer, and the board can be flipped.
Is there anything to install?
No. The game runs in the browser on phones, tablets and computers, with no download and no sign-up.
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