Three Kingdoms chess:象棋

Imagine a chess game that merges the epic saga of the Three Kingdoms with the strategic depth of Xiangqi, offering a variety of gameplay modes. This game allows players to conquer all levels, challenge every hero, and swiftly master the intricacies of chess endgames. Xiangqi, a traditional Chinese chess game, is a two-player strategy game with a rich history. Its simple yet engaging pieces have made it a beloved pastime across generations.

Chess Pieces

Xiangqi features thirty-two pieces, split evenly between red and black teams, with each team comprising sixteen pieces across seven types. Here's a breakdown:

• Red Pieces: 1 Handsome, 2 Rooks, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 2 Phases, 2 Shi, 5 Soldiers
• Black Pieces: 1 General, 2 Horses, 2 Cannons, 2 Elephants, 2 Advisors, 5 Pawns

Handsome/General

The "Handsome" represents the red side, while the "General" stands for the black side. These leaders are pivotal, as they are the ultimate targets. They can only move within the "nine palaces," moving one square at a time horizontally or vertically. Importantly, the Handsome and General cannot face each other directly on the same vertical line, as this results in an immediate loss for the moving player.

Shi/Advisor

The "Shi" (red) and "Advisor" (black) are confined to the nine palaces, moving diagonally one square at a time.

Phase/Elephant

The "Phase" (red) and "Elephant" (black) move diagonally two squares at a time, known as "flying the field." Their movement is restricted to their half of the board and cannot cross the river. If a piece blocks the center of their path, they cannot move, a situation referred to as "blocking the elephant's eye."

Rook

The Rook is the most powerful piece, moving any number of squares along ranks or files, known as "driving straight." It can control up to seventeen points, earning the nickname "one rook equals ten pieces."

Cannon

The Cannon moves like the Rook when not capturing, but to capture, it must jump over exactly one piece, known as "firing over the screen" or "crossing the mountain."

Horse

The Horse moves in an "L" shape, known as "stepping the day." It can reach up to eight points around it, embodying "eight directions of majesty." If another piece blocks its path, it cannot move, a situation called "tripping the horse's leg."

Soldier/Pawn

The "Soldier" (red) and "Pawn" (black) move forward one square at a time and cannot retreat. Before crossing the river, they cannot move sideways. After crossing, they gain the ability to move left or right one square, significantly increasing their power, hence the saying "small pawns crossing the river can challenge the rook."

Players take turns moving their pieces, embodying the strategic principles from Sun Tzu's "Art of War," such as "winning without fighting" and "subduing the enemy without battle." The objective is to checkmate or trap the opponent's General (Handsome). The red side moves first, and the game continues until a win, loss, or draw is determined. Through the complex interplay of attack and defense, players enhance their cognitive skills, navigating the nuances of strategy and tactics.