Xiangqi (Chinese: 象棋; pinyin: xiàngqí; Wade–Giles: hsiang4-ch'i2; ⓘ), is a two-player strategic Chinese board game in the same family as Western chess, chaturanga, shogi and janggi. Xiangqi is native to China and is therefore commonly called Chinese chess. The first character 象 xiàng here has the meaning "image" or "representational", hence Xiangqi can be literally translated as "representational chess". Although 象 also means "elephant", which is one of the pieces, so "Chess with Elephants" is another literal translation.
Chinese chess has a long history. Though its precise origins have not yet been confirmed, the earliest indications reveal the game have been played as early as the 4th century BC in China.
Xiangqi is one of the most popular board games in the world. Distinctive features of Xiangqi include the unique movement of the pao ("cannon") piece, a rule prohibiting the generals (similar to chess kings) from facing each other directly, and the river and palace board features, which restrict the movement of some pieces. (more...)