Open and tactical game

There are only five pawns per side in Chinese Chess, and their initial separation leads to an open, very tactical, and usually exciting game. Both sides will strive for the initiative, and passive play is likely to go unrewarded.

The game is often known by its Chinese name Xiang Qi (pronounced shee-ang chee), the two characters at the top of the page show the written Chinese form. Chinese Chess pieces usually look like draughts pieces but with Chinese characters marked on the top (for more on this, and where to buy a Chinese or westernised set, see back page).