Chinese Chess, known as "Elephant Chess" or "Xiangqi" (pronounced "Shiang-Chi") in China, is an ancient game nearly 2000 years old, and played by millions of people the world over.

The game board consists of two sides: the "northern territory" (typically using blue pieces) and the "southern territory" (using red), separated by a space called "the river". Each territory contains a "king's palace", and the objective it to capture your opponent's king, while simultaneously protecting your own king. Each side starts with 16 pieces. Red moves first, and each side makes one move at a time.

Although played by Chinese people around the world, until recently it was virtually unknown among westerners. Chinese Chess is a relative of western Chess, but the many differences result in a more wide-open and aggressive contest.

Photo courtesy of Ishi Press International, publisher of First Syllabus on Xiangqi : Chinese Chess 1.

Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Sets

Chinese Chess Set $23.95 $21.95   SAVE $2.00 !	Elephant Chess Set in Leather Case $36.99	Folding Beechwood Veneer Chinese Chess Xiangqi Set $22.99
Monkey King Chinese Chess Set $44.99	Solid Wood Xiangqi Game $19.99

Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Games & Books

Chinese Chess  BUY NOW  $14.95 $14.80    SAVE $0.15 !   

This pioneering book explains the fundamental aspects of Chinese Chess - rules, the board, basic moves, piece values - with clear examples and diagrams. After teaching the basics of the game, this book goes a step further, instructing you in tactics, methods for getting out of trouble, and cunning strategies for winning. Also included are 80 mid- and end-game exercises designed to sharpen playing skills.

When you think of chess, you probably think of the strategy game played throughout Europe and the Americas. There is another kind of chess played throughout the world by probably more people than any other strategy game. That game is Chinese Chess. The "Elephant Game" as it is called by the Chinese, dates back more than 2000 years. A cousin of Western Chess, its unique style of play results in a wide-open, quick-moving and aggressive contest. Chinese Chess for Beginners explains both the rules and the strategies of the game clearly and in detail so that you can start playing right away. It covers everything from the opening through the endgame. The book includes a set of paper chessmen that you can cut out and begin to play right away.

This book provides everything that the beginner needs to know about the fascinating game of Chinese Chess. The initial chapters explain the basics of the game. Subsequent chapters show how play is developed and offer advice, as well as giving tips, on strategy and improving your skill. Finally, there is a brief history of the game and additional reference material. This pack contains a detailed play guide and strategic hints and tips for the game, along with a colorful board and the 32 pieces used in play. You can also play Korean Chess using this board and pieces.

H. T. Lau introduces Chinese chess to Westerners, discussing issues such as the board, the movement and values of the pieces, and basic rules for capturing and defeating an opponent with the aid of 170 diagrams. Suggested end games and opening strategies are given as required reading for the beginner. Finally, this artfully simple book concludes with two appendices devoted to the elegantly constructed games found in "The Secret Inside the Orange and "The Plum-Blossom Meter, two classic seventeenth-century works on Chinese chess.

C. K. Lai is a well known Xiangqi player and enthusiast who has written and translated a dozen books on the subject, among them Chinese Chess, An Introduction To The Openings, Checkmate In Two, and Chess Of The Wuzhi Mountain. With a few Xiangqi friends he promoted the game in Britain some two decades ago, helping to create the UK Chinese Chess Association. He is certainly at the forefront of promotion of the game in Britain. One of C. K. Lai's high achievements in Xiangqi competitions was in 1994 when he won the 11th European Xiangqi Championship held in Amsterdam. He also won on several occasions the UK Xiangqi Championship. He is Editor of Chinese Chess Cyber Newsletter, which attracts many Xiangqi followers.

Designed as a textbook for beginners, this cutting-edge guide to Chinese Chess incorporates the latest ideas and examples from enthusiasts and championship play. Chapter summaries and exercises focus on important points. This book reflects the latest thinking among leading Xiangqi players around the world, and incorporates terminology adopted by the World Xiangqi Federation. It provides probability-based evaluation of pieces at the opening, in the midgame, and at the endgame, categorizing moves into attacking, defensive, and tactical.

Lead your army to victory! The battle has begun! As a General you are in command of a massive army filled with Mandarins, Elephants, Horses, Chariots, Cannons, and Soldiers. Make one tactical error, though, and you may lose everything! Your opponent waits in a castle just across the river, ready to attack and capture you. But with cunning and wits, you can penetrate his defenses and claim victory for yourself. Checkmate! Windows download.

This critically-acclaimed Chinese Chess game for PalmOS is a stimulating and interesting alternative to western Chess, renowned for its superb playability for players of all levels from beginner to expert. Just like western Chess, the aim of the game is to capture your opponent's King. You have seven pieces at your disposal, each with their own rules of movement. The board includes diagonal lines as well as horizontal ones, and pieces move along lines stopping where they intersect. The blank area in the middle of the board represents the Yellow River that divides north and south China. The major pieces in Chinese Chess come into play much quicker, allowing for a faster and less drawn out game. Whatever level of Chinese Chess you play at, you can be sure that Chinese Chess Professional will give you a stimulating and challenging game.

ItsYourTurn.com

Play free online games including Chinese Chess (Xiangqi), Backgammon, Battleboats (Battleship), Chess, Checkers, Othello, Pente, and more - over 40 different games and variations. No Java, no downloads. Tournaments and extensive message boards are part of this active community.

If you're familiar with the Western game of chess, you'll find much that is familiar in Xiangqi, but also much that is strange and new. This web site will help you to sort out the differences.

This portion of the Chess Variants site includes information about Xiangqi, history of the game, rules, links, and much more.

Play Chinese Chess / Xiangqi / co tuong / cotuong online with other people.

A Chinese chess teaching ptrogram. The computer challenges your techniques and provides many computer players with different levels. Whoever you are, beginner or expert, you will have fun playing against it. It also learns from your good moves, so be careful! Shareware $15.00.

An online encyclopedia article on Xiangqi, from the Wikipedia. Includes background, rules, and links.

Xiang plays Chinese Chess in your Palm. There are three skill levels. It comes with a graphical chess set and so you can play even you do not read Chinese. Color version is available. Requires PalmPilot. Shareware $12.00.