ChuHe HanJie Chess 2.1.2

The Chu River Han boundary serves as a symbolic demarcation on the chessboard, reflecting the historical context of the Chu-Han War. In terms of the chessboard’s layout, this boundary consists of nine vertical lines and five horizontal lines. The prominence of the number nine, being the largest single-digit numeral, alongside five, which occupies a central position, culminates in the notion of "Nine Five" Supreme. This concept embodies the imperial throne's grandeur and authority. The strategic placement of black and red pieces on either side not only facilitates competition but also artistically echoes the historical contention between the Chu and Han dynasties.

Chinese chess, or Xiangqi, is a traditional two-player game that has captivated enthusiasts for centuries. Its appeal lies in its straightforward equipment and engaging gameplay, making it a beloved recreational activity within Chinese culture. This game represents a significant cultural treasure of the Chinese nation.

Chess Notation

In contemporary play, movements of chess pieces are typically recorded using a four-character notation system. The first character denotes the type of piece being moved. The second character identifies the vertical column where the piece resides—counted from right to left from each player's perspective—with red squares represented by Chinese characters and black squares denoted by Arabic numerals. In scenarios where identical pieces occupy the same row, positioning is clarified with terms such as "rear car flat four" or "front horse into 7." The third character indicates the direction of movement: "flat" for horizontal, "forward" for advancing towards the opponent's base, and "retreating" for moving back towards one's own base. The fourth character varies depending on movement type; for pawns advancing or retreating straight, it signifies the number of spaces moved, while it denotes line numbers for lateral or diagonal movements.

Basic Rules

• Shuai (將): As the leader in chess, Shuai represents a primary target for both players. It is confined to movement within the nine palaces and may only advance one space vertically or horizontally at a time. Additionally, Shuai cannot stand directly opposite an opposing general along a straight line; such positioning results in an automatic loss for that player.
• Shi (士): Serving as a bodyguard to Shuai, Shi is limited to movement within the confines of the Nine Palaces, traversing just four diagonal spaces.
• Xiang (象): Xiang plays a defensive role by safeguarding Shuai. It moves diagonally across two spaces at a time, referred to as "elephant flying field." However, Xiang's movements are restricted to its own side of the river boundary, and it cannot cross if obstructed by another piece.
• Che (車): Known for its power on the board, Che may move without limitation in either vertical or horizontal directions if unimpeded by other pieces, controlling up to seventeen points simultaneously, hence its classification as "one car and ten children."
• Pao (炮): The Pao shares movement capabilities with Che when not capturing another piece. To capture, there must be one intermediary piece (either opponent or ally) positioned between it and the target piece—it is unique in its ability to navigate over other pieces.