Three Kingdoms chess:象棋

A chess game that combines the theme of the Three Kingdoms, incorporating various modes of gameplay, allows players to conquer all levels, challenge every hero, and master chess endgames swiftly. Xiangqi, a type of chess originating from China, is a two-player strategic game with a rich history. Its simple yet engaging pieces have made it a popular pastime.

Chess Pieces

Xiangqi features thirty-two pieces divided into two teams, red and black, with sixteen pieces in each team. These are categorized into seven types, listed as follows:

Red Pieces:

• One "Handsome"
• Two each of "Rook", "Horse", "Cannon", "Phase", and "Shi"
• Five "Soldiers"

Black Pieces:

• One "General"
• Two "Horses"
• Two "Cannons"
• Two "Elephants"
• Five "Pawns"

Movement and Rules

Handsome/General:

• The red leader is called "Handsome" and the black leader is "General".
• Both can only move within the "nine palaces" grid, moving one step at a time horizontally or vertically.
• The Handsome and General cannot face each other directly on the same vertical line, as this results in an immediate loss for the moving side.

Shi/Taxi:

• "Shi" for red and "Taxi" for black.
• Movement is restricted to diagonal steps within the nine palaces, one step at a time.

Phase/Elephant:

• "Phase" for red and "Elephant" for black.
• Moves diagonally two spaces at a time, known as "flying field".
• Movement is limited to the player's own side of the "river" and is blocked if a piece occupies the middle of the "field" path, known as "blocking the elephant's eye".

Rook (Car):

• The most powerful piece, moving any number of spaces horizontally or vertically without obstruction.
• Known as "car straight road" and can control up to seventeen points.

Cannon:

• Moves like a Rook when not capturing, but must jump over a piece to capture another, known as "shelling the partition" or "over the mountain".

Horse:

• Moves in an "L" shape, one step in one direction and then one step diagonally, known as "horse walking day".
• Can reach up to eight points around it but is blocked if a piece is in the path of the initial move, known as "tripping the horse's leg".

Soldiers/Pawns:

• "Soldiers" for red and "Pawns" for black.
• Move forward one step at a time and cannot retreat.
• Before crossing the river, they cannot move sideways; after crossing, they gain the ability to move left or right, significantly increasing their power, hence the saying "small pawns crossing the river top the cart".

Gameplay

Players take turns moving their pieces, embodying the strategic principles from Sun Tzu's "Art of War", such as "winning without fighting" and "subduing the enemy without battle". The objective is to checkmate or trap the opponent's General (Handsome). The red side moves first, and the game continues until a win, loss, or draw is determined.

Through the intricate dynamics of attack and defense, feints and realities, and overall and local strategies, players can enhance their cognitive abilities. This Three Kingdoms-themed chess game not only offers a rich strategic experience but also immerses players in the historical and cultural context of ancient China.