Beginner guide · Updated 22 July 2026
Xiangqi vs chess: the beginner's comparison
Xiangqi (Chinese chess) and international chess are both two-player strategy games, but they use different boards, piece movement and tactical ideas. This overview is a starting point for play, not a substitute for a full rules reference.
The board
International chess is played on an 8×8 chequered board. Xiangqi is played on intersections of a 9-by-10 grid. The Xiangqi board has a river through the middle and palaces at each end, both of which affect certain pieces.
Pieces and movement
- King / general: Both sides protect a central royal piece. In Xiangqi, the general stays inside the palace and the two generals cannot face each other on an open file.
- Rooks and knights: Both games use powerful rook-like pieces and knight-like pieces. Xiangqi horses can be blocked at the first diagonal step; chess knights jump.
- Cannons: Xiangqi's cannon moves like a rook but captures by jumping exactly one intervening piece.
- Pawns / soldiers: Xiangqi soldiers change their movement options after crossing the river; chess pawns have their own forward-only movement, initial double move and promotion rules.
How a game ends
Both games reward checkmating the opposing royal piece. Stalemate and repetition rules are handled differently across rule sets, so check the rules used by the game or event you are playing.
Where to practise
Relax Chess Studio includes both international chess and Xiangqi modes. For a single-piece chess-board puzzle, try Open Knight's Tour.