Application Description

A chess game that combines the theme of the Three Kingdoms with various modes of gameplay can provide an engaging experience, allowing players to pass all levels, challenge all heroes, and quickly study chess endgames. Xiangqi, a type of chess that originated in China, is a two-player confrontation game with a rich history. Its simple yet intriguing pieces have made it a popular chess activity.

Chess Pieces

Xiangqi features thirty-two chess pieces, divided into two groups: red and black, with each group comprising sixteen pieces divided into seven types. The names and numbers of these pieces are as follows:

Red Chess Pieces:

• One handsome
• Two rooks
• Two horses
• Two cannons
• Two phases
• Two shi
• Five soldiers

Black Chess Pieces:

• One general
• Two rooks
• Two horses
• Two cannons
• Two elephants
• Two advisors
• Five pawns

Piece Movements

Handsome / General:

• The red side has a "handsome," and the black side has a "general." These leaders can only move within the "nine palaces," moving up, down, left, or right one block at a time. The handsome and general cannot face each other directly along the same straight line, or the moving side will lose.

Shi / Advisors:

• The red side has "shi," and the black side has "advisors." They can only move within the nine palaces, taking diagonal steps within these boundaries. Advisors can only move one diagonal space at a time.

Phase / Elephant:

• The red side has "phases," and the black side has "elephants." They move diagonally two spaces at a time, known as "elephant flying field." Their movement is restricted to their own side of the "river boundary" and cannot cross the river. If a piece occupies the middle of the "field" they are trying to cross, they cannot move, a situation known as "blocking the elephant's eye."

Rook (Chariot):

• The rook is the most powerful piece, moving any number of spaces horizontally or vertically as long as there are no pieces in the way, known as "the chariot's straight path." A rook can control up to seventeen points, hence the saying "one chariot can handle ten pieces."

Cannon:

• The cannon moves like a rook when not capturing. However, to capture a piece, it must jump over exactly one piece, whether friendly or enemy, known as "firing over a partition" or "crossing the mountain."

Horse:

• The horse moves in an "L" shape, first moving one space horizontally or vertically, then one space diagonally, known as "horse stepping day." It can reach up to eight points around it, hence the phrase "eight directions of majesty." If another piece blocks its path, it cannot move, known as "tripping the horse's leg."

Soldiers / Pawns:

• The red side has "soldiers," and the black side has "pawns." They can only move forward, not backward, and cannot move sideways before crossing the river. After crossing the river, they can also move left and right, but only one step at a time. Once across the river, their power increases significantly, leading to the saying "small pawns crossing the river can top a chariot."

Gameplay

Players take turns moving their pieces, adhering to the strategic concepts from ancient texts like Sun Tzu's Art of War, such as "subduing the enemy without fighting" and "winning through superior tactics." The goal is to checkmate or trap the opponent's general (or handsome). The game starts with the red side moving first, and turns continue until a win, loss, or draw is determined, ending the game. Through the complexities of attack and defense, feints and realities, and overall strategy versus local tactics, players can enhance their cognitive abilities.

Board