Chinese Traditional Chess L1

“Shuài” 帥/帅 and “Jiàng” 將/将

• Generals may move one point either vertically or horizontally, but not diagonally and is confined to the nine points within his palace. A general may not also move into a file, which is occupied by the enemy general, unless there is at least one piece positioned between the generals in the file.

• These are the king’s counselors and guard the king within the palace. The guard moves one point diagonally and is confined to the palace.

“Shì” 仕 and “Shì” 士

• Generals may move one point either vertically or horizontally, but not diagonally and is confined to the nine points within his palace. A general may not also move into a file, which is occupied by the enemy general, unless there is at least one piece positioned between the generals in the file.

• These are the king’s counselors and guard the king within the palace. The guard moves one point diagonally and is confined to the palace.

“Xiàng” 相 and “Xiàng” 象

• move exactly two points in any diagonal direction and may not jump over intervening pieces or cross the river.

• moves one point horizontally or vertically, and then one point diagonally. It cannot move in a direction where there is a piece blocking it along the path of movement.

“Mà” 傌/马 and “Mǎ” 馬/马

• move exactly two points in any diagonal direction and may not jump over intervening pieces or cross the river.

• moves one point horizontally or vertically, and then one point diagonally. It cannot move in a direction where there is a piece blocking it along the path of movement.

“Jū” 俥/车 and “Jū” 車/车

• move similarly to the rooks in international chess. It moves as many points as it wishes horizontally or vertically. It cannot jump over pieces in its path.

• move exactly like the chariot. To capture, however, it must jump over exactly one piece, friend or foe, along its line of movement.

“Pào” 炮 and “Pào” 砲

• move similarly to the rooks in international chess. It moves as many points as it wishes horizontally or vertically. It cannot jump over pieces in its path.

• move exactly like the chariot. To capture, however, it must jump over exactly one piece, friend or foe, along its line of movement.

“Bīng” 兵 and “Zú” 卒

• move and capture by advancing one point forward. Once a pawn has crossed the river it may also move and capture one point horizontally. A pawn may never move backward, thus retreating.

• move exactly like the chariot. To capture, however, it must jump over exactly one piece, friend or foe, along its line of movement.