Xiangqi Pieces and How They Move

This guide shows how every xiangqi piece moves. In the diagrams, green dots are points the piece can reach and red crosses are points it's blocked from. They use the Chinese characters; on kawu you can switch to picture pieces in the settings.

General (帅 / 将)

The general moves one point up, down, left or right, and never leaves the palace. It may never face the enemy general on an open file.

The general moves one point orthogonally inside the palace.

Advisor (仕 / 士)

The advisor moves one point diagonally and also stays inside the palace, so it can only ever reach five points.

From the centre of the palace an advisor can reach all four corners.

Elephant (相 / 象)

The elephant moves exactly two points diagonally. It can't cross the river. If the point in the middle of its move is occupied (the elephant's eye), it can't move that way.

The horse on the elephant's eye blocks the move to the upper right.

Horse (马)

The horse moves one point straight, then one point diagonally outward. If the first point is occupied, the horse is hobbled (蹩马腿) and can't move in that direction.

The soldier directly in front blocks both of the horse's forward jumps.

Chariot (车)

The chariot moves any number of points in a straight line, but can't pass through pieces. It's the most powerful piece.

A chariot sweeps its rank and file, and can capture the black horse.

Cannon (炮)

Without capturing, the cannon moves like a chariot. To capture, it must jump over exactly one piece, of either colour, called the screen. It can't capture an adjacent piece, and it can't jump to an empty point.

Jumping its own soldier, the cannon can capture the horse behind it.

Soldier (兵 / 卒)

Before crossing the river a soldier moves one point forward. Once across, it may also move one point sideways. It never moves backwards, and it isn't promoted at the far side.

The soldier on the left hasn't crossed yet; the one across the river can also go sideways.

Rough values

Players often count material like this: chariot 9, cannon 4.5, horse 4, elephant 2, advisor 2, soldier 1 (about 2 after crossing the river). Cannons are better in the opening, when there are plenty of screens; horses get stronger as the board empties.

Ready to play? Start a game of xiangqi, read the full rules or the strategy guide.

Frequently asked questions

How does the horse move in xiangqi?

One point straight (up, down, left or right), then one point diagonally away from where it started, like an L. Unlike the chess knight it can be blocked: if the point right next to it in the straight direction is occupied, it can't go that way. This is called hobbling the horse (蹩马腿).

Why can't the elephant cross the river?

The elephant is a defensive piece. It moves exactly two points diagonally and must stay on its own side of the river, so it only ever reaches seven points. It's also blocked if the point in the middle of its move (the elephant's eye) is occupied.

Which is the strongest xiangqi piece?

The chariot. It moves any distance in a straight line and is worth about two horses or cannons. In the opening the cannon is often more dangerous than the horse; in the endgame, when fewer pieces are left to jump, the horse usually becomes stronger.

Last updated 2026-10-17