Arrangement
“Jiang” and “Shi” “Xiang”
“Shuai”
Governor/General
“Ma”
Horse
4 Points 9 Points
The Governor/General moves on space
at a time left, right, forward or backward.
He is confined to the nine-point fortress,
on his side of the board.
The Counselor is also confined to the
fortress. He moves one point diagonally.
The Horse moves first one point along
the horizontal/vertical lines, and then one
point diagonally. Similar to the knight in
western chess, but this horse can be
blocked by an intervening piece.
The Minister/Elephant moves exactly
two points in any diagonal direction.
This piece can be blocked by another
piece on the intervening square and not
allowed to cross the river.
Counselor/Adviser Minister/Elephant
2 Points 2 Points
“Ju” “Pao” “Bing” and “Zu”
Horse Cannon/Catapult Governor/General
4.5 Points 1 / 2 points
The Chariot moves exactly like the
rook in western chess: as many spaces
as it wished horizontally or vertically
The Cannon/Catapult is a peculiar
piece. It moves exactly like chariot
when not capturing. But to capture, it
must have a piece, friend or foe, in
line to jump over.
The Pawn/Foot Soldier moves one
point forward. After crosses the river, it
may also move to the right and left, but
never backward. Unlike the pawn in
western chess, this piece capture just as
it moves normally. It does not promote
upon reaching the far end of the board
Piece Notation Name Abbreviation
Governor /General King K
Advisor/Counselor Advisor/ counselor A/c
Elephant/Minister Elephant E
Horse/Knight Horse H
Car/Chariot/Rook chaRiot R
Cannon Cannon C
Soldier/Pawn Pawn P

 First component is basically an alphabet to present the chess piece moved.

 The second component is the file which the chess piece is located.
 The third component refers to the movement of the piece:
- forward is denoted by “+” ,
- backwards is denoted by “-”
- traversing the same horizontal column is denoted by “.”. There are some variations to
the notations for traversing though. In most Chinese XQ manuals, it can be
represented by “=” or nothing at all, just simply C25.
 The fourth or last component denotes the number of steps moved

What if there is similar pieces in same file?

e.g
e.g
1) R3+4
2) R4+3 1) +P=4
2) –P+1
3) C2=9 3) =P+1
4) C5=8 4) 2P=4
5) +R=5
5) H8+7
6) –R=6
6) H3-2
Chinese Chess Advanced Rules: All move following the basic rules are allowed except:

1. Perpetual Check
“The side that perpetually checks with one piece or
several pieces will be ruled a loss”
R2+1 K6+1
R2-1 K6-1
R2+1 K6+1
R2-1 ……
Explanation:
Red keeps checking. Either Red ckecks with one piece or
with several pieces, it violates the rule and has to change to
other moves. Otherwise, it will be ruled a loss.

R4+1 K4+1
R5=6 K4=5
R6=5 K5=4
R4-1 K4-1
R4+1 ....
Explanation:
Red keeps checking. Either Red checks with one piece or
with several pieces, it violates the rule and has to change to
other moves. Otherwise, it will be ruled a loss.

P4=5 P6=5
P5=4 P5=6
P4=5 P6=5
P5=4 ...

Explanation:
When Red perpetually checks and Black "One check and one
idle", Red violates the rule and Black doesn't. Red has to
change to different moves, otherwise it is a loss for Red.
2. Perpetually chasing
“The side that perpetually chasing a piece will be
ruled as loss”

C4-1 +R+2
C4-2 +R-2
C4+2 +R+2
C4-2 +R-2
C4+2 ....
Explanation:
Red's cannon perpetually chases the protected Black rook.
Red will be ruled a loss.

R8=9 C1=5
R9=5 C5=1
R5=9 C1=5
R9=5 C5=1
R5=9 ...
Explanation:
Red violates the rule by having the Rook perpetually
chasing the unprotected Cannon.

R8+2 A6+5
R8-3 A5-6
R8+3 A6+5
R8-2 A5-6
R8+2 ....

Explanation:
The Red Knight is not protected but because the Black
Rook doesn't move, it is not considered as a perpetual
chase. On the contrary, each of the Red moves attacks the
Black Rook and this is a violation of the rule. Red has to
change.
It can be ruled a draw if both sides repeat a sequence of moves that return to the same state but
there is no violation of any rules and both sides refuse to change moves.

“Both sides keep checking the other is a draw”

R5+1 C6=5
R5=4 C5=6
R4=5 C6=5
R5=4 C5=6
R4=5 ...

Explanation:
Red's moves of R are "Resolve check and check back". So
is Black's moves of c. If both sides repeat the same moves,
it is a draw.

“Perpetual threatening to checkmate is a draw”

C7=3 C3=7
C3=8 C7=2
C8=2 C2=8

Explanation:
Red keeps threatening to checkmate but those moves are
not checks. It is different than perpetual check and if the
moves keep repeating, it is a draw.

"One check and one threatening to checkmate"

R4=2 k5=6
R2=4 k6=5
R4=2 k5=6
R2=4 ...

Explanation:
Because perpetual threatening to checkmate is a draw, one
check and one threatening to checkmate should be a draw
too.
"One chase one threatening to check and capture"

R6=2 k5-1
R2=6 k5+1
R6=2 k5-1
R2=6 k5+1
R6=2 ....

Explanation:
Red's attack on Black n is considered "one chase
and one threatening to check and capture". This
game can be ruled a draw.

"Perpetually offering to exchange or to sacrifice is

a draw"

R73 r67
R32 r78
R24 r86
R41 r69
R12 r98
....
Explanation:
Red keeps trying to exchange or sacrifice the Rook. Since
the Black Rook is free to move, Red does not violate the
rule and this game can be a draw.

"A Pawn can perpetually chase"

P21 c98
P12 c89
P21 c98
P12 ...

Explanation:
A Pawn can perpetually chase. This game is a draw.