rec.games.chinese-chess FAQ (Part 2 of 2)
LE...@stu.admin.usfca.edu
14. Is there any software available?
There are 5 commercial programs for DOS: Chinese Chess Master III,
Uncle Wang, XIAN, and Battle Chess II: Chinese Chess, and
"World Chess Series One: Chinese Chess."
Chinese Chess Master III (DOS version) $44.00
Supports Sound Blaster. 70% English screen. Easy to use. VGA display.
Good for advanced players. Beautiful graphics and 36 opponents to choose
from. Very strong. Beginners new to Chinese chess may want to select
a different program. The easiest opponent of Chinese Chess Master III
is very difficult to defeat, and you cannot change the strength level.
Not many features, just a really tough game. Ordering information:
No returns! Be sure that you know what you want before buying.
Foreign orders please add $20.00, otherwise send a Post Office US$
money-order to eliminate the extra $20.00 charge. Send a letter with
the product name, ship to address, phone number, check, the product
name to: (Foreign shipping (S/H) charge might vary)
DATA STATION
P.O. BOX 91654
City of Industry, CA 91715-1654
(213) 344-8595
E-Mail bam...@delphi.com
(California residents please add 8.25% sales tax.)
(Make check payable to Data Station)
Uncle Wang
Imperial Dragon Software
PO Box 4446
Tumwater, WA 98501
Price: $28
Features: 8 skill levels, position setup, save games, take back
moves, change sides.
XIAN
Leong Jacobs, Inc.
2729 Lury Lane
Annapolis, MD 21401
$29.95 + $2 shipping
Features: 9 skill levels, position setup, save positions, take back
moves, change sides.
World Chess Series One: Chinese Chess (DOS)
Pachyderm Software
2124 Broadway, Ste 202
New York, NY 10023
(212) 875-1397
$39 (plus $4 shipping) NY residents add sales tax. Check or money order.
Notes: A new program. Features: multiple time & depth settings; position
setup; suggest moves; handicap play; modify piece values. Mouse support.
Battle Chess II: Chinese Chess (the weakest commercial program)
InterPlay Productions
3710 S. Susan, Ste. 100
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(714) 545-9001
$49.95
(Exciting graphics)
All commercial programs mentioned above are available from:
Yutopian Enterprises
4964 Adagio Ct
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 659-0138
Fax: (510) 770-8913
Internet: yuto...@netcom.com
(Yutopian also carries Chinese chess books & sets)
For the Macintosh, there is a shareware program written by Tie Zeng
available on the Internet. Ftp to: mac.archive.umich.edu.
The program is in the path: /mac/game/board and is called
chinesechesspro1.01.cpt.hqx.
There are a few shareware DOS Chinese chess program available on the
Internet. Two are available via anonymous ftp at caissa.onenet.net.
The stronger program is currently in the path:
/pub/chess/DOS/OLD-STUFF/cch.zip. Type "play" to start. Unfortunately,
this program seems to freeze the computer after exiting from the
program. The other, weaker, program is in the path:
/pub/chess/DOS/OLD-STUFF/chinechs.exe.
For information on Korean chess, and a couple Chinese chess
programs, as well as related items, get the file chichess.zip
from caissa.onenet.net in the path: /pub/chess/DOS/chichess.zip.
CCHVIEW is a popular database for viewing games from ICCS, games
posted to rec.games.chinese-chess, etc., or your own games.
Available via anonymous ftp at dec06.cs.monash.edu.au in the path
/pub/oyang/Chinese_Chess/cchview.zip.
Opening analysis related to the "Wind Screen Horse" is available via ftp
at ftp.netcom.com in the path: /pub/damish/ws_horse.zip.
15. Can I play opponents by using my computer?
You can play real time games on the Internet Chinese Chess Server (ICCS).
Telnet to: coolidge.harvard.edu 5555 or 128.103.28.15 5555
Login with a name & choose a password. Type "help"
or "help intro" if you're new. To register your name after you
login, type "register [your e-mail address]." Chinese GM
Liu DaHua recently played on ICCS, along with Chinese Master
Cai FuRu.
<>===========================================================<>
International Chinese Chess Server Top 40 Players
Last edit : 1994-11-27
Total registered players: 1937
Total number of games played (approximately): 43441
<>===========================================================<>
Rank Name Rating Wins Losses Draws
<>===========================================================<>
1 lhh 2004 103 12 8
2 Alligator 1959 212 72 10
3 jeff 1951 124 53 7
4 mg 1951 186 40 13
5 NewYork 1918 88 23 12
6 wyabc 1907 172 99 11
7 elton 1903 36 11 9
8 haha 1898 132 71 6
9 ppfast 1891 93 59 21
10 BufuBuxin! 1880 92 11 0
11 greedy 1878 143 73 14
12 GODFATHER 1870 286 607 2
13 Frank 1853 51 5 8
14 weijie 1831 37 18 4
15 alibaba 1824 45 23 2
16 shark 1817 73 31 10
17 Communist 1816 52 8 1
18 pc386-25 1812 57 40 3
19 bell 1811 87 46 17
20 HJH 1807 162 45 0
21 AAA 1804 67 15 1
22 diana 1803 58 24 2
23 fcf 1776 27 8 1
24 got 1776 65 32 20
25 shu 1775 25 4 2
26 khuang 1772 540 224 52
27 Octpus 1768 187 108 39
28 naka 1765 81 48 4
29 birds-hunter 1757 69 35 6
30 Moir 1753 44 27 5
31 piranha 1751 36 14 2
32 Smith 1750 67 25 10
33 cell 1750 52 17 5
34 dij 1750 103 37 10
35 ilh 1744 221 226 18
36 xixi 1743 58 31 10
37 BB 1731 37 10 4
38 roma 1731 33 6 3
39 vp 1730 66 48 6
40 sho 1728 55 24 7
<>===========================================================<>
There is a European server in Sweden. Address is:
hippolytos.cd.chalmers.se 5555 or 129.16.79.39 5555
There is a Chinese chess server in Taiwan.
Address: 140.112.50.162 port=5555
A PC client, ZUVGA, is available at caissa.onenet.net.
It is in the path: /pub/chess/uploads/DOS/zuvga060.zip.
An MS Windows client is available at dec06.cs.monash.edu.au.
It is in the path: /pub/oyang/Chinese_chess/iccsterm.zip.
An X Windows client is available at dec06.cs.monash.edu.au.
It is in the path: /pub/oyang/Chinese_chess/xiccc*.
You may also play real time Chinese chess on the Internet Go Server at
hellspark.wharton.upenn.edu 6969. You will probably have to use the
"shout" command to find players since most will be playing go. Do not
expect to play Chinese chess without difficulty here for the time being.
16. Are there any clubs where I can find opponents?
USA
Los Angeles Chinese Chess Association
625 College St #203
Los Angeles, CA 90012
FAX: 1 818 308-3539
Phone: 1 213 628-0688
Chinese Community Cultural Service Center
1074 Stockton St
San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: 1 415 788-8948
Xiangqi Association of America
153-A Waverly Pl
San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: 1 415 391-1236
(According to XiangQi Review, this is a gambling joint.
Try the CCCSC above.)
New York Chinese Chess Association
21 Division St
New York, NY 10002
FAX: 1 212 966-7360
Phone: 1 212 219-8858
United East Athletic Association, Xiangqi Club
70 Mulberry St, Room 201
New York, NY 10003
Phone: 1 718 273-4915
CANADA
Calgary Chinese Chess Association
107A Ng Tower Center
115 - 2nd Ave SW
Calgary, Alberta, CANADA T2P 3C6
FAX: 1 403 288-1897
Phone: 1 403 247-4808
Edmonton Chinese Chess Association
9645 - 101A Ave
Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA T5H 0Y1
FAX: 1 403 429-3383
Phone: 1 403 424-2850
Montreal Chinese Chess Association
8655 Forbin Janson
Montreal, Quebec, CANADA H1K 2J8
FAX: 1 514 861-6223
Phone: 1 514 352-0288
Toronto Xiangqi Association
4790 Creditview Rd
Mississauga, Ontario, CANADA L5M 5M4
(416) 492-7581
FAX: 1 905 821-9947
Phone: 1 905 819-8263
Vancouver Chinese Chess Association
2/F, 21 E, Pender St
Vancouver, B.C., CANADA V6A 1S9
FAX: 1 403 646-7243
Phone: 1 604 682-2999
Winnipeg Xiangqi Association
33 Surfside Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA R3X 1P2
FAX: 1 204 256-3892
Phone: 1 204 253-5325
EUROPE
United Kingdom Chinese Chess Association
12 Lagan House, Sumner Rd
London SE15 5RB ENGLAND
Phone: 44 81 693-4779
German Xiangqi Association
Buttstrasse 50,
D-22767 Hamburg 50, GERMANY
FAX: 49 40 385-337
Holland Chinese Chess Association
Oltmanstraat 20,
NL-3842 ZX Harderwijk, HOLLAND
FAX: 31 3410 20221
Phone: 31 3410 18909
Italian Xiangqi Association
Via Don Gnocchi
20D, 20075 Lodi (Milano) ITALY
FAX: 39 371 420-451
Phone: 39 371 430-282
Association de Xiangqi en France
52 bd Serrurier
75019 Paris, FRANCE
FAX: 33 1 458-41005
Phone: 33 1 458-21005
ASIA
Australia Xiangqi Association
Dept of Medicine, Level 5, Block 5
Monash Medical Centre
Clayton Rd
Clayton, VIC 3168 AUSTRALIA
FAX: 61 3 563-2578
Phone: 61 3 364-9972
Chinese Xiangqi Association
No. 80 Tian Tan Dong Rd
Beijing 100061 CHINA
FAX: 86 1 701-5176
Phone: 86 1 701-1614
Taipei Chinese Chess Association
2/F, 248 Yin Pin Bei Rd, 2nd Lane
Taipei TAIWAN
FAX: 886 2 557-4364
Phone: 886 2 553-3741
Hong Kong Chinese Chess Association
Flat E/F, 4/F Wang Cheung Commercial Bldg
249-253 Reclamation St
Kowloon, HONG KONG
FAX: 852 770-8072
Phone: 852 771-3751
Singapore Xiangqi General Association
79-B, Lorong 8
Geylang Singapore 1439 SINGAPORE
FAX: 65 345-4247
Phone: 65 340-5136
Thailand Xiangqi Association
78 Soipantachit 2 Lanes, Mytricht Rd
Bangkok, THAILAND 10100
FAX: 66 2 226-5732
Phone: 66 2 221-6204
Viet-Nam Hochiminh City Dist. 5 Chess Assn
100/6B Hung-Vuong F.9.Q.5
Hochiminh City VIETNAM
FAX: 84 8 325-236
Phone: 84 8 350-003
Indonesia Chinese Chess Association
Jl. Per Agalan I No. 35
Jakarta INDONESIA
FAX: 62 21 354-235
Phone: 62 21 808-2443
Malaysia Chinese Chess Association
11, Jalan Sultan, 5000
Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
FAX: 60 3 238-9045
Phone: 60 3 238-1113
Sabah Chess Association Union
PO Box 792
90008 Sandakan
Sabah, EAST MALAYSIA
FAX: 60 89 272-282
Phone: 60 89 272-277
Japan Xiangqi Association
4-1-15 Shimoigusa, Suginamiku
Tokyo 167 JAPAN
FAX: 81 3 371-67169
Phone: 81 3 390-44368
Philippines Federal Chess Enthusiast Assn
Room 219, 945 Gandara St
Manila, PHILIPPINES
FAX: 63 2 530-1170
Phone: 63 2 486-218
Associacao De Xadrez Chines De Macau
Av. Do Almt. Lacerda 89A EDF.
Luenfung No. 1 A MACAU
FAX: 853 210-110
Phone: 853 210-110
Brunei Chinese Chess
Blk C, #3 Abd Razak Complex Gadong 3180
PO Box 946 Bandar Seri Begawan 1909
BRUNEI Darussalam
FAX: 673 2 426-191
Phone: 673 2 424-307
17. Is there a Chinese chess version of the United States Chess Federation?
No. Organization of Chinese chess in the United States lags behind
most other countries, including those in Europe. Also, Europe seems
to enjoy a great deal of cooperation between Asian "experts" and
western "novices," unlike the situation in the US. Chinese chess
"organization" in the US is basically confined to Chinatown clubs,
which are not usually as accessible as the tourist shops. A suggestion
for future development would be to organize Chinese chess activities at
regular chess or go clubs & then try to branch out on your own after a
regular clientele has been established. Perhaps try to find a local
Chinese chess expert who would agree to give a simul or lecture to
drum up interest.
18. What are some of the top tournaments?
Here are most of the top Asian events, and the organization
each is affiliated with:
A. China Xiangqi Association
1. 5 Ram Cup
Held in Guangzhou in December or January; entrance is
limited to Chinese National Champions.
Current champion: Xu YinChuan
2. YinLi Cup
Held in Guilin.
Current champion: Xu TianHong
3. Chinese National Team Championship
Held first half of each year (usually April to June);
most recently held in Nanjing.
Current champion--men: Shanghai
women: Jiangsu
4. Chinese National Championship
Held second half of each year (usually August to December);
Current champion: Tao HanMing
B. Asian Xiangqi Federation
1. Asian Cup [Team]
Held every even-numbered year since 1980 (October to
November usually). China has won the men's and women's
trophies every time.
Current champion--men: China
women: China
2. Asian Cities Individual Championship
Held odd-numbered years, timing varies; most recently held
in Bangkok, 1993.
Current champion: Hu RongHua
C. World Xiangqi Federation
1. The World Cup
The 4th World Cup will be held in 1995 in Singapore. Cycle
frequency has not been established.
Current champion--men: Xu TianHong
women: Hu Ming
team: China
non-Chinese: Mei QingMing (Vietnam)
All of the above listed tournaments are essentially "closed" events,
meaning that unless you are invited, you cannot participate. CXA events
are for mainland Chinese only. AXF events are for their 12 Asian
member nations. The only tournament above that is open to "foreigners"
is the World Cup, which is still by invitation only.
Other Tournaments:
JiaBo Cup [Team] (CXA)
Match between Shanghai and Guangdong.
Current champion--men: Guangdong
women: tie
QiWang Title (CXA)
Current champion: Lu Qin
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Triangular Match [Team] (AXF?)
12 matches of this annual event (since 1979) have been played (except
for 3-year interruption due to Tiananmen incident). Guangdong has won
every match.
Current champion: Guangdong
European Championship
Current champion: C.K. Lai (England)
French Championship
Current Champion: Dang Tran Chung
AXF 12 Members:
China
Hong Kong
Taiwan
Thailand
West Malaysia
East Malaysia
Macao
Philippines
Singapore
Indonesia
Brunei
Japan
19. Who are some of the strongest players around the world?
Most of the strongest players live in China. Here are the Chinese
National Ratings for the first half of 1994:
MEN:
Lu Qin 2571 (Recently defeated Li LaiQun for QiWang title)
Xu YinChuan 2521 (Current 5-Ram Cup Champ)
Zhao GuoRong 2520 (Two-time CN Champion--1990 & 1992)
Hu RongHua 2500 (Greatest player in Chinese chess history?)
Liu DaHua 2485 (Won Chinese National title in 1980 & 1981)
Li LaiQun 2485 (Tough times, lost QiWang & last in 5-Ram Cup)
Xu TianHong 2479 (Won Third World Cup & current YinLi Cup Champ)
Liu DianZhong 2440 (Breaks through to the top ten)
Liu Xing 2437 (Also new to the top ten)
Lin HongMin 2435 (Strong Shanghai player)
Zhang Qiang 2431
Zhuang YuTeng 2429
Bu FengBo 2417
Yan WenQing 2417
Yu YouHua 2412 (Drops out of the top ten)
Jiang QuanSheng2401
Wan ChunLin 2400
Tao HanMing 2399 (Just won 1994 Chinese National Championship)
Zhang Gang 2396
Xu Bo 2394
Huang ShiQing 2394
WOMEN:
Hu Ming 2334 (On top now; Xie SiMing is inactive)
Huang YuYing 2285
Shan XiaLi 2267 (Dropped a lot of points; still third)
Lin Ye 2260
OuYang QiLin 2257
Gao Hua 2245
Wu Qun 2245
Chen ShuLan 2242
Liu BiJun 2228
Guo LiPing 2203
OTHER COUNTRIES
Taiwan
Wu KuiLin
Liang JinYi
Hong Kong
Chiu YuKuen
Vietnam
Mei QingMing
Japan
Shen Hao (formerly of Shanghai)
Singapore
Lee KhengSoi
Teo SimHua
Thailand
Ma WuLian
Malaysia
Li JiaQing
Chieng KuokWu
Chen JieYu
Indonesia
Ifan ChungMing
Germany
Huebner Robert (GM of chess)
Siewert Hans-Joachim
Italy
Yu JianGuo
Hu YunXi
Nastasio Davide
Guberti Agostino
USA
Lee Michael
Gong Fan
Chien Chi
Yan TatSun
Ng Hak Lok
Canada
Der Lawrence
Yu Chou Jen
Li Chung
20. Are there any variants of Chinese chess?
A. Game of the Three Kingdoms
This game is supposed to illustrate the war of the Three Kingdoms:
Wei (blue), Shu (red) and Wu (green), A.D. 221-64. The lines of the
board are not straight throughout, and each army faces the other
two. The pieces consist of the regular 16, but also a different piece
(2 of them for each army). This piece in red's army is designated as (F)
for "fire." Blue's is called (B) for "banner" and green's is called (W)
for "wind." Their move is an extended knight's move: 2 steps vertically
or horizontally and then 1 step diagonally. In the initial position,
they each sit 2 spaces directly above the guards of each army.
When one of the Generals (who are named Wei, Shu, and Wu) is mated,
the player who has mated him removes the king from the board and
adds the remainder of his army to his own.
The board has 6 sides. 3 of the sides have 9 spaces across (where the
3 armies start). The other 3 sides have 10 spaces across, each.
The board is really 3 half regular boards, plus 12
squares (3 X 4 squares, each dividing each army's half board from
the others) & 1 triangle space (in the very center of the board).
A diagram of the board is given in H.R. Murray's book, "A History
of Chess."
R = Rook K = King F = Fire
H = Horse C = Cannon B = Banner
E = Elephant P = Pawn W = Wind
G = Guard
Here's my diagram of the board. Pretty good, huh? :-)
Blue Army (R)-+----+---(P)-|----|-(P)---+----+-(R) Green Army
(H)---+---(C)------|----|------(C)---+---(H)
(E)-----+-------(P)\ | | /(P)-------+-----(E)
(G) -----(B)---- \ \|----|/ \ / ---(W)------(G)
(K) + \ | | /\ + (K)
(G) \ \ | | / \ / (G)
(E) \ (P) \|----|/ (P) / (E)
(H) + (B) \ | | / \ (W) + (H)
(R) \ \ \ \|----|/ / / / (R)
+ (C) (P) \ / \ / \ / (P) (C) +
+ \ \ \ / \/ \ / / \/ +
(P) \ \ / \ /|\ / \ / / \(P)
\ / \ \ / | \ / / \ / /
+ \ \ / \ | / \ / / \ +
\ \ / \ \ | / / \ / /
+ \ \ \ | / / / +
\ \ \ \ | / / / /
(P)---+---(P)---+---(P)---+---(P)---+---(P)
+--(C)--+---(F)---+---(F)---+--(C)--+
+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+----+
(R)-(H)-(E)-(G)-(K)-(G)-(E)-(H)-(R)
Red Army
B. Half-Board Variant
Here is another Xiangqi variant, as given in Xiangqi Review
(Volume II, Number 5). You only use half the board, but all
32 pieces.
Turn over all 32 pieces, so you can't see what they are, and mix
them all well. Then put them all face-down on the *squares* of
a half-board--not on the intersections, on the squares, like in
western chess.
After deciding who goes first, the first player chooses a piece
to turn over, which constitutes one move. Then the second player
turns over a piece. The players then alternate, either turning
over another piece or making a move with a piece already turned up.
All the pieces move the same way--one square up, down, right, or
left, but not diagonally. You can move a piece onto any adjacent
empty square, or onto an adjacent square occupied by another
piece by capturing that piece, if legal. The captured piece is
then removed from the board. Moving is compulsory, capturing not.
The men rank in this order:
king -> Rook -> Horse -> Cannon -> Bishop -> Guard -> Pawn -->> King
Each piece can take any piece that's equal or lower in rank. The
exception is that a pawn *can* take a king!
A game is won when you have captured all men from your opponent, or
when he resigns. Checkmating the king doesn't end the game, draws
are rare.
Material gain is the highest objective. Be careful when capturing
that your piece isn't trapped or lost to another higher piece.
There is no checking or hitting violations, no repetition prohibitions.
Force your opponent to take risks by having to turn over unknown
pieces next to his. In some positions, the rook may even be worth
more than the king.
C. Seven Warring States Variant
Name of Game: Qiguo Xiangxi (7 Warring States Chess)
There are a total of 120 pieces used in this variant symbolizing the
seven Warring States (403-221 B.C.) period. This variant was created
by Guang Si-ma.
The Zhou (kingdom) has 1 piece (at the center point of the board).
Each of the 7 Warring States has 17 pieces.
The Zhou piece is yellow (central space)
Qin is white (starts in west position)
Chu is red (south position)
Qi is indigo (dark blue) (east position)
Yan is black (north position)
Han is cinnabar (orange-red) (south position)
Wei is green (east position)
Zhao is purple (north position)
Pieces:
General (Jiang)
Each of 7 states has 1 General. He moves vertically,
horizontally, or diagonally with no limit on distance
(like the queen in western chess).
Deputy General (Pian1)
Each army has 1 Deputy General. He moves vertically or
horizontally with no limit on distance (like the rook).
Officer (Bi4)
Each army has 1 Officer. He moves diagonally
without limit (like the bishop in western chess).
The Generals, Deputy Generals, and Officers are viewed
as being mounted on chariots (elephants were not used in China,
though the Xiang character is used in the game's name).
Diplomat or Liaison Officer (Xing2ren2)
Each army has 1 Diplomat. He moves vertically,
horizontally, or diagonally without limit (like the queen
in western chess). But he may not engage in combat, and
may not be killed.
Cannon (Pao)
Each army has 1 cannon. It moves vertically or
horizontally without limit. There must be an intervening
piece for it to attack another piece (it moves just like
modern-day cannon).
Archers (Gong1)
Each army has 1 (unit of) Archers. The unit moves
4 spaces (on each move) vertically, horizontally, or
diagonally.
Crossbowmen (Nu3)
Each army has 1 (unit of) Crossbowmen. The unit moves
5 spaces vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
Swordsmen (Dao1)
Each army has 2 units of Swordsmen. Each unit moves
1 space diagonally.
Broadswordsmen (Qian?)
Each army has 4 units of Broadswordsmen. Each unit moves
1 space vertically or horizontally.
Cavalry (Qi2)
Each army has 4 units of Cavalry. Each unit moves
4 spaces and moves similar to a knight--1 space in a
straight line and then 3 spaces diagonally.
If 7 people play the game, each takes 1 warring state. If 6 people play,
1 player takes both Qin and 1 other state in alliance with it. If 5
people play, then in addition to the Qin alliance, Chu is allied with
1 other state. If 4 people play, then in addition to the Qin and Chu
alliances, Qi is allied to another state.
When each player takes possession of 1 state, those states with which
they are allied are chosen by the players themselves. Both of the allied
states are directed by the choosing players, who must first take an oath
saying, "If either of the states under my command is lost, it will be
through my own carelessness." If 1 player orders an ally to attack a very
strongly defended state, he must first penalize himself by downing a glass
of liquor (or beer).
The order of play is: Qin, Chu, Han, Qi, Wei, Zhao, and Yan
(this order is counterclockwise beginning with the state in the west
in the initial position, which is Qin).
If a poor move is played, it may not be taken back (except if penalty is
agreed by players beforehand--glass of beer, lose next turn, etc.).
If anyone moves a piece incorrectly, he is penalized (either a lost move
or a shot of liquor, exact penalties at discretion of players themselves).
If a player attacks his own ally, then the entire army of that ally is
lost and removed from the board. Whenever a player is placed in check,
he may be penalized according to previously agreed upon penalty :-)
A player wins over another state by capturing that enemy's General. But
even if the General is not taken, a player can win by capturing more
than 10 other pieces of the opposing state. If an enemy has not yet lost
10 pieces and a player's own army loses more than 10, then that player's
own army is lost and removed.
At the end of the game, the player who has captured the most pieces is
the winner of the game. First the winner takes a victory drink (a special
drink that is not used for other purposes associated with this game),
then the losers take a drink.
Should 1 player have captured 2 Generals, or take a total of 30 lesser
pieces, he is declared Dictator, or Tyrant, or just Bully (Ba4). Once a
player has become Dictator, all the other states avow their submission
to him, and everyone drinks another round.
Relative value of pieces in their initial positions:
1 Cavalry unit is equal to any 2 units of Archers, Crossbowmen,
Swordsmen, or Broadswordsmen. A Cannon is equal to 3 units of same.
An Officer is equal to 4. A Deputy General is equal to 5.
The Zhou king is yellow and sits in the center to show respect for the
Son of Heaven. He has no army, does not engage in battle. Each of the
7 states has a particular color to reflect its directional position.
The Diplomats represent persuasive politicians who try to create
alliances among the states.
The Yi Zheng Retired Scholar Pei Zi-xi obtained a copy of the text of
this game's rules and had it engraved on wooden blocks so that it would
be widely transmitted. It was then printed on the day of the Lantern
Festival in the second year of the Kai-xi reign period (24 February 1206).
Game Board with Initial Position
G General
D Deputy General
O Officer
L Liaison Officer (Diplomat)
P Pao (Cannon)
A Archers
C Crossbowmen
S Swordsmen
B Broadswordsmen
H Horsemen (Cavalry)
Z Zhou King
Yan Zhao
+---+--(H)-(B)-(O)-(G)-(D)-(B)-(H)--+--(H)-(B)-(O)-(G)-(D)-(B)-(H)--+---+
+---+---+--(H)-(B)-(P)-(B)-(H)--+---+---+--(H)-(B)-(P)-(B)-(H)--+---+---+
+---+---+---+--(S)-(C)-(S)--+---+---+---+---+--(S)-(C)-(S)--+---+---+--(H)
+---+---+---+---+--(A)--+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(A)--+---+---+--(H)-(B)
+---+---+---+---+--(L)--+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(L)--+---+--(S)-(B)-(O)W
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(L)-(A)-(C)-(P)-(G)e
(H)--+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(S)-(B)-(D)i
(B)-(H)--+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(H)-(B)
Q(D)-(B)-(S)--+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(H)
i(G)-(P)-(C)-(A)-(L)--+---+---+---+--(Z)--+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
n(O)-(B)-(S)--+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(H)
(B)-(H)--+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(H)-(B)
(H)--+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(S)-(B)-(O)Q
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(L)-(A)-(C)-(P)-(G)i
+---+---+---+---+--(L)--+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(L)--+---+--(S)-(B)-(D)
+---+---+---+---+--(A)--+---+---+---+---+---+---+--(A)--+---+---+--(H)-(B)
+---+---+---+--(S)-(C)-(S)--+---+---+---+---+--(S)-(C)-(S)--+---+---+--(H)
+---+---+--(H)-(B)-(P)-(B)-(H)--+---+---+--(H)-(B)-(P)-(B)-(H)--+---+---+
+---+--(H)-(B)-(D)-(G)-(O)-(B)-(H)--+--(H)-(B)-(D)-(G)-(O)-(B)-(H)--+---+
Chu Han
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributors to the FAQ (if I missed someone, let me know):
Michael J. Donohue, R.J. Hare, Timothy J. Lee, Roleigh Martin, Tero Sand,
Kawai Tam, Jeroen Tiggelman, David Woo, Jim Z. Yu, Elton Yuen
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nick Jacobs
>rec.games.chinese-chess FAQ (Part 2 of 2)
>14. Is there any software available?
You don't mention programs for Microsoft Windows.
Probably _XIAN for Windows_ is the only one; it's
available from Yutopian Enterprises (address in FAQ).
Nick