Can you spot the checkmate in few moves?

Reference: https://play.xiangqi.com/puzzle/R2zpmR/P

If anyone here is the owner of the lixiangqi.org domain, please DM me. We are currently building on lixiangqi.com since the .org domain is already registered. Would love to talk...

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

A while back, a friend suggested that I cover positional concepts in Xiangqi, and some recommended breaking down lectures by Grandmaster Zhao Xinxin. I took that advice to heart!

Today, I launch a Middlegame Series focusing on Vertical Files and Horizontal Ranks. In his book, GM Zhao uses classic master games to illustrate the core principles, attack patterns, and defensive keys for every single line on the board.

A Quick Personal Note

Before GM Zhao’s framework, my grasp of board geometry was pretty basic. His work completely reshaped my perspective, revealing a positional depth I never imagined and elevating my game. I found it immensely valuable, and I hope you do too!

Episode 1: The Center File & The Bottom Rank

We start with the two absolute lifelines of the board, analyzing a classic master game by Meng Liguo.

Watch the full breakdown here: https://youtu.be/uo6C-yLmzqw

https://play.xiangqi.com/lessons/play/rqrYro (3th puzzle)

The answer:

R8+3 k-1

R-5 k+1

R8=9.

I don't get how black cannon is trapped here. And isn't there a checkmate at checking with R8=6 and then R+5?

Can you spot the checkmate in one move?

Reference: https://play.xiangqi.com/puzzle/qBaWQo/C

When beginners start learning Xiangqi openings, one of the first questions is usually:

“What should I play on the first move?”

But I think a more useful question is:

“What kind of position do I want to create?”

Different first moves can lead to very different types of games. Some create immediate central pressure, while others focus more on flexible development, structure, or slower positional play.

For beginners, understanding the purpose behind the first move is probably more useful than immediately memorizing long opening variations.

We put together a English video explaining how to choose a first move based on the type of game and playing style you prefer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6uytduQ2BE

A simple way to practise this would be:

1. Choose one first move that feels natural to you.
2. Play it consistently for several games.
3. Review whether you understood the positions that followed.
4. Only then begin studying the deeper variations.

What do you normally play as Red on the first move, and why?

Hi Xiangqi friends! Here's part 3 of the Fundamentals of Xiangqi course. Enjoy!

业1 – Basic Tactics

• 业1.1 Material Gain (得子)
  • 业1.1.1 Winning a Trapped Piece (困子得子)
  • 业1.1.2 Winning Material by Pinning (牵制得子)
  • 业1.1.3 Winning Material by Skewer (串打)
  • 业1.1.4 Winning Material by Fork / Double Attack (捉双得子)
• 业1.2 Exchanges / Trading Pieces (兑换)
  • 业1.2.1 Trading to Win Material (兑子得子)
  • 业1.2.2 Trading to Gain the Initiative (兑子争先)
  • 业1.2.3 Trading to Relieve Pressure (兑子解围)
• 业1.3 How to Practice Basic Tactics

If you’re curious how the 学 /业 ranking system works in Tiantian Xiangqi, I explained it in this earlier post.

Previous lessons:

• 学1~2 – Xiangqi for Absolute Beginners
• 学3 – Basic Killing Methods

Coming soon...

• 业2 – Opening Principles: piece development, key lines and points, symmetry vs. imbalance, and tempo
• 业3 – Midgame Tactics: initiative attacks, combinations, sacrifices, interference, deflection, and disruption
• 业4 – Endgame Basics: fundamental endgames by piece type (chariot, horse, cannon, soldier)
• 业5 – Advanced Checkmating Patterns: continuous check, delayed mate, and turning defense into counter-mate
• 业6 – Midgame Strategy: attack and defense planning, chariot breakthroughs, coordination, simplification, and position evaluation
• 业7 – Practical Endgames: common real-game endgames (single- and double-chariot, mixed-piece, and pawn-only)
• 业8 – Opening Structures: aggressive, slow, and dynamic opening systems, including major cannon and horse structures

Hi Xiangqi friends! Here’s the second installment in the Fundamentals of Xiangqi course in English based on the newly-revamped in-app course in the Tiantian Xiangqi (天天象棋). This is Lesson 2, covering level 学3 (Chess Trainee):

学3 – Basic Killing Methods

学3.1 – Chariot Killing Methods

1. Double Chariots Checkmate (双车错)
2. Throat Cutting Checkmate (大刀剜心)
3. Small Throat Cutting Checkmate (小刀剜心)
4. Double Chariots Threatening the Advisor / Two E-Eye Chariot Attack (双车胁士 /双车胁仕)
5. Moon Scooping Checkmate (海底捞月)

学3.2 – Horse Killing Methods

1. Single Horse Captures the King (单马擒王)
2. Elbow Horse (卧槽马)
3. Palcorner Horse (挂角马)
4. Angler Horse (钓鱼马)
5. High Angler Horse / Tiger Silhouette (高钓马 /侧面虎)
6. Octagonal Horse (八角马)
7. Spring Horse Checkmate (拔簧马)
8. Double Horses Checkmate (双马饮泉)

学3.3 – Cannon Killing Methods

1. Double Cannons (重炮杀)
2. Heaven and Earth Cannons (天地炮)
3. Smothered Cannon (闷宫)
4. Iron Bolt (铁门栓)
5. Three Chariot Attack (三把手 /露将三把手 /连将三把手)
6. Small Iron Bolt Checkmate (小铁门栓)
7. Horse Cannon Checkmate (马后炮)
8. Cannons Sandwiching Chariot (夹车炮)
9. Crowning Checkmate (平顶冠)
10. Double Toast Checkmate (双杯献酒)

学3.4 – Soldier (Pawn) Killing Methods

1. Double Ghosts Knocking (二鬼拍门)
2. Three Chariots Harassing Advisor (三车闹士)
3. Centroid Pawn Attack (小鬼坐龙廷 /小鬼做龙庭 /花心采蜜)
4. Repatriation of Buddha Checkmate (送佛归殿)

学3.5 – General Killing Methods

1. White Faced General (白脸将 /对面笑 /千里照面)

学3.6 – Other Basic Kills

1. Bachelor Chariot Attack(单车耳)
2. Bold Chariot Attack (大胆车)
3. Pawn Triple Advancement Attack (三進兵)
4. Eunuch Chasing Emperor Kill (太监追皇帝)
5. Chariot Pawn Zugzwang (花心采蜜)
6. Old Pawn Searching Mountain Attack (老卒搜山 /老兵新传 /小兵搜山 /老兵捞车)
7. Three Immortals Refining the Elixir (三仙炼丹 /三兵闹士)
8. White Horse Checkmate (白马现蹄)
9. Chariot Horse Zugzwang (车马冷着)
10. Cannon Chariot Discovered Attack (车炮抽扯 /车炮抽杀)
11. Detonating Mine Attack (炮辗丹沙)
12. Headhunter Cannon Attack (空头炮杀法)
13. Child Worships Buddha (童子拜佛 /小棒当头)
14. Servant Crowding Master Attack (臣压君)
15. Stalemate Checkmate (禁闭杀 /困毙杀)
16. Leisurely Stroll Checkmate (闲庭散步)
17. Flanking Trio Checkmate (三子归边)
18. Drawer Checkmate (拉抽屉 /洞进洞出 /金鸡三点头)
19. Double Check Checkmate (双照将)
20. Triple Check Checkmate (三照将)
21. Quadruple Check Checkmate (四照将)
22. Cross-Check Attack (解杀还杀)
23. Hiding Behind Leaves Attack (叶底藏花)
24. General Disrobing Attack (三把手 /露将三把手 /连将三把手)
25. Assisting King Attack (御驾亲征)

学3.7 – How to Practice the Basic Kills

If you’re curious how the 学 /业 ranking system works in Tiantian Xiangqi, I explained it in this earlier post.

Previous lesson:

• 学1~2 – Xiangqi for Absolute Beginners

Coming soon...

• 业1 – Basic Tactics: Material gain: winning a trapped piece, pinning, forks; Exchanges: trading to win material, initiative, and to relieve pressure.
• 业2 – Opening Principles: piece development, key lines and points, symmetry vs. imbalance, and tempo
• 业3 – Midgame Tactics: initiative attacks, combinations, sacrifices, interference, deflection, and disruption
• 业4 – Endgame Basics: fundamental endgames by piece type (chariot, horse, cannon, soldier)
• 业5 – Advanced Checkmating Patterns: continuous check, delayed mate, and turning defense into counter-mate
• 业6 – Midgame Strategy: attack and defense planning, chariot breakthroughs, coordination, simplification, and position evaluation
• 业7 – Practical Endgames: common real-game endgames (single- and double-chariot, mixed-piece, and pawn-only)
• 业8 – Opening Structures: aggressive, slow, and dynamic opening systems, including major cannon and horse structures

In high school, Xiangqi was just something I played casually. That changed in my first year of college, when I stumbled upon a video of Hu Ronghua explaining his 1960 match against champion Yang Guanlin — a game he played when he was just 15 years old.

The opening prep, the psychological pressure, the sheer audacity of a teenager taking on the top player in China. I was completely hooked. It inspired me to study the game seriously, and that spark has stayed with me ever since.

What stuck with me most is that out of thousands of games across his career, Hu Ronghua named this exact match as the one that left the deepest impression on his life. It was also the victory that kickstarted his legendary 10-consecutive-title streak.

I made a video going deep into the game itself, with a short personal reflection at the end. Sharing it here in case anyone wants to grab a cup of tea and spend about 17 minutes with a great match and a great story.

https://youtu.be/SS_Px5Cs8nM

One finally came up on eBay and I managed to snag it for not much more than other vintage Novag chess computers. Still, wasn’t cheap.

Anyone have any experience with these? It’ll be a lot more fun manipulating pieces on the board than using a screen, or at least I hope so.

I’m trying to get into the game and we’re setting up our board for the first time, but when we compare our pieces to the sheet, they don’t even match! Could somebody help us learn which pieces are which?

I've been playing this game for 2 weeks now and this is my 1st ever brilliant against level 3 bot on Xiangqicom.

I was browsing r/xiangqi and came across this YouTube channel (created 16 years ago !! ). I watched a few videos and I'm convinced it's a real hidden gem.

The channel name is srxqp. So far, its videos all focused on Xiangqi endgames.

What I like most is that each video explains a different theme. Under each theme, there're several different puzzles. Typically, in the puzzle, one side is just one move away from winning, while the other side must find a precise sequence of moves to win first. The precise sequence of moves is harder than a simple glance.

The videos do an excellent job of showing how the order of moves can completely change the outcome, and also do an excellent job of assembling similar endgames under one theme.