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https://github.com/lucaferranti/awesome-xiangqi

An awesome list of xiangqi related resources
https://github.com/lucaferranti/awesome-xiangqi

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An awesome list of xiangqi related resources

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# Awesome Xiangqi [![Awesome](https://awesome.re/badge.svg)](https://awesome.re)



[](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Xiangqi_Board.svg)



A curated list of xiangqi related resources.



Xiangqi, also known as Chinese chess, is a two-players abstract strategy board-game from China, with a long history of tradition, theory and tactics.



Contributions to this repository are welcome! Check out the [contributing guidelines](contributing.md)



## Contents



- [General websites](#general-websites)

- [Websites to play](#websites-to-play)

- [Games databases](#games-databases)

- [Books](#books)

- [YouTube channels](#youtube-channels)

- [Engines](#engines)

- [Computer xiangqi](#computer-xiangqi)

- [Other useful tools](#other-useful-tools)

- [Social](#social)



## General websites



- [World Xiangqi Federation website](https://www.wxf-xiangqi.org/) - Official website of the World Xiangqi Federation (WXF). It contains information on upcoming official tournaments, a list of xiangqi associations and federated players and the official [xiangqi tournament rules](https://www.wxf-xiangqi.org/images/wxf-rules/2018_World_XiangQi_Rules_English2018.pdf).

- [xqinenglish.com](https://www.xqinenglish.com) - Wide collection of articles on various aspects of the game, featuring embedded interactive boards to visualize the discussed concepts.



## Websites to play



All websites allow to play with other people and watch ongoing games.



|          **Website**           |            **Play with computer**            | **Analysis board** | **Puzzles** |                        **Other**                         |

| :----------------------------: | :------------------------------------------: | :----------------: | :---------: | :------------------------------------------------------: |

|       |          pikafish, multiple levels           |      pikafish      |     yes     |                chat, lessons and articles                |

|      | pikafish or fairy-stockfish, multiple levels |      pikafish      |     yes     |                       gamedatabase                       |

|  |                      no                      |         no         |     no      |                     discussion forum                     |

|      |       fairy-stockfish, multiple levels       |  fairy-stockfish   |     yes     | supports other chess variants, some lessons and articles |

|       |                      no                      |         no         |     no      |    supports also other chess variants and board games    |



## Games databases



-  - Interactive board to search positions and statistics about their outcomes and continuations.

-  - Game database, can be searched by opening, by player or by event.

-  - Game database, can be searched by player or by event.



## Books



### Introductory books



- [Xiangqi For Absolute Beginners: Teach Yourself XIANGQI step by step](https://www.amazon.com/Xiangqi-Absolute-Beginners-Yourself-XIANGQI/dp/9671436218) - General overview of the games and its phases.

- Understanding the elephant series

  - [part 1](https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Elephant-Xiangqi-Primer-History/dp/957433998X) - History of xiangqi.

  - [part 2](https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Elephant-Xiangqi-Primer-Introduction/dp/9574339998) - Basic rules and mating techniques.

  - [part 3a](https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Elephant-Xiangqi-Endgame-Introduction/dp/9574358194) - Introduction to endgames.

  - [part 3b](https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Elephant-Xiangqi-Primer-Endgame/dp/9574358208) - Introduction to endgames.

- [H.T.Lau: Chinese Chess: An Introduction to China's Ancient Game of Strategy](https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Chess-Introduction-Ancient-Strategy/dp/080483508X/ref=pd_sim_d_sccl_3_4/135-3100273-1757345?pd_rd_w=fiqkM&content-id=amzn1.sym.807772be-f817-4c8d-8a9d-04ee37f7ad33&pf_rd_p=807772be-f817-4c8d-8a9d-04ee37f7ad33&pf_rd_r=BQHHFNMP2NSJGMVJ2S0K&pd_rd_wg=u8i8f&pd_rd_r=2897fb4a-a92c-4033-ac0c-0ec3ea23057a&pd_rd_i=080483508X&psc=1) - General overview of the game and its phases. It discusses rules, basic openings and endgames as well as some middle game strategies and tactics.

- [XIANGQI Introduction to Chinese Chess for beginners](https://www.amazon.com/XIANGQI-Introduction-Chinese-Chess-beginners/dp/B0CNLTKS34) - Introductory book by grandmaster Ye Lin, discussing the game rules and strategies as well as its history.

- [Lexicon of xiangqi](https://www.amazon.com/Lexicon-Xiangqi-Chinese-Chess-English/dp/9574347079/) - English terms related to xiangqi with Chinese translation, over 1600 entries. This is very useful to be able to read books in Chinese on the topic. A shorter free extract of the book is available [here](https://www.xqinenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=110:basics-of-xiangqi-chinese-chess-simple-glossary&catid=110&Itemid=504&lang=en).



### Opening



- [Chinese Chess: An Introduction to the Openings](https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Chess-Introduction-Openings-Lai/dp/0954994329)

- Xiangqi opening trilogy by Master Yan Wenqing and Grandmaster Zhang Qiang - Considered one of the most complete and authoritative resource on xiangqi opening.

  - [象棋布局定式与战理 (Xiangqi opening tabiat and their principles)](https://www.amazon.com/%E8%B1%A1%E6%A3%8B%E7%89%B9%E7%BA%A7%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%88%E8%AE%B2%E5%B8%83%E5%B1%80%EF%BC%9A%E5%AE%9A%E5%BC%8F%E4%B8%8E%E6%88%98%E7%90%86-%E9%98%8E%E6%96%87%E6%B8%85%EF%BC%8C%E5%BC%A0%E5%BC%BA/dp/B074BL9P7N) - Systematic overview of xiangqi openings. Some articles from chapters of the book available [here](https://www.xqinenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=categories&id=112&Itemid=511&lang=en) and some videos discussing the book available [here](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSgklQ5Zjutri0MYq6u1Lzav7Mfq62FC6).

  - [布局骗着与对策 (Deceptions and countermeasures in xiangqi openings)](https://www.xqinenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=294&Itemid=511&lang=en) - Typical traps in xiangqi opening and how to not fall for them. Video discussions of the book [here](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSgklQ5Zjuto1PL3VM9nyMLCFCVdmqPr2). A partial English translation by WXF available [here](https://www.shakki.info/asiakirjat/Deceptive_Play.pdf).

  - [布局疑形与攻击 (Dubious positions and how to attack them)](https://www.xqinenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=301&Itemid=511&lang=en) - Typical opening mistakes and how to punish them. Video discussions available [here](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSgklQ5ZjutoKObSqmSUYS6kK1zlpvE_4).

- [Xiangqi: The basic of same direction cannon openings](https://www.amazon.com/Xiangqi-Direction-Cannon-Openings-Explained-ebook/dp/B078MCR3V3)

- [Xiangqi D00-D29 Same Direction Cannons: Modern Xiangqi Opening Repertoire](https://www.amazon.com/Xiangqi-D00-D29-Same-Direction-Cannons/dp/B0CQ4M121J)

- [胡, 荣华. 夹炮屏风 反宫马布局研究 (Hu Ronghua's sandwiched horse defense treatise)](https://www.xqinenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=235&Itemid=511&lang=en) - A video discussion of the book is available [here](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSgklQ5ZjutotE_lBAtXQ5YcKVsopOFBM).



### Tactics / puzzles



- [Xiangqi basic tactics](https://www.shakki.info/asiakirjat/Xq_Tactics.pdf) - Free ebook by WXF about xiangqi tactis.

- [Basic xiangqi chekmate methods](https://www.shakki.info/asiakirjat/BasicXqCheckmate.pdf) - Free ebook by WXF about common checkmate techniques.

- [Checkmate Methods in Xiangqi Mid-Games](https://www.shakki.info/asiakirjat/Checkmate_Methods.pdf) - Free ebook by WXF about checkmate tactics frequently occurring during middle game.

- [Become a xiangqi assassin 1](https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Xiangqi-Assassin-Jim-Cheng/dp/9574337758) - Exercise book with several puzzles with discussed solutions in increasing level of difficulty.

- [Become a xiangqi assassin 2](https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Xiangqi-Assassin-Jim-Cheng/dp/9574356310) - Exercise book several puzzles with discussed solutions in increasing level of difficulty.



### Endgames



- [Chinese chess endgames](https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Chess-Endgames-Jinlei-Shao-ebook/dp/B09BDB25PT) - A computer-assisted analysis of xiangqi endgames.

- [Xiangqi endgame classics trilogy](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XZR7FKP)

  - [A study of the chariot-horse treatise](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PS14J7N)

  - [A study of the cannon-pawn treatise](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PMLSLC9)

  - [A study of the horse-pawn treatise](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R7D4DJV)



### Ancient manuals



- [Plum Flower Manual by Wang](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M9HJLLW) - Ancient manual from the Qing dinasty, notorious for being one of the first introducing the screen-horse defense against central cannon.

- [Plum Flower Springs Manual](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z9XV5ST) - Ancient manual from the Qing dinasty, discussing in details several opening systems. It is also one of the few manuals discussing handicap games.

- [Unparalleled and Chong Ben Tang Plum Flower Manuals](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S8XXTGX) - Ancient manual from the Qing dinasty, which presents puzzles and discusses foundations of the screen-horse defense.

- [One Hundred Variations in Xiangqi & Marvelous Variations Xiangqi Manual](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VBXGSP9) - Collection of endgame compositions and puzzles from the Ming dinasty.

- [Dreams of Divine Positions](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077MMZ4TN) - One of the oldest collection of puzzles and endgame compositions.

- [Lan Ke Shen Ji](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WNRVDCG) - Collection of relatively straightforward endgame compositions, suited particularly to train calculation skills.

- Secret in the Tangerine, [volume 1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y4F5LS8), [volume 2](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072HW6DCH), [volume 3](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071S2H8XG), [volume 4](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074Y7XGFF) - One of the oldest ancient manuals, considered a fundamental classic on the game.

- Elegant pastime manual, [volumes 1 & 2](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y4DWQ1X), [volumes 3 & 4](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079KGQS7F), [volumes 5 & 6](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BB163LN) - Collection of puzzles and endgames compositions from the Ming dinasty. This book is also rich of Chinese culture, with each composition name being a verse from famous Chinese poems.

- [Secret record of xiangqi](https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Xiangqi-Classics-Secret-Record/dp/6260102119) - One of the first book from the Qing dinasty, popular for presenting more complex endgame problems compared to its predecessors.

- [The xiangqi master from the cave](https://www.amazon.com/XiangQi-Master-Cave-Ping-Loong/dp/967143620X) - Ancient manual from the Song dinasty, presenting several games commentaries with detailed explanations.



### Games collections



- [Grandmaster Hu Ronghua and his elephant openings](https://www.amazon.com/XIANGQI-Grandmaster-RongHua-Elephant-Openings/dp/1542936888) - Commented games of grandmaster Hu Ronghua featuring the elephant opening.

- [IGM Lin Ye 60 memorable games: The path to winning the world championship](https://www.amazon.com/IGM-Lin-memorable-games-championship/dp/B0BW2G3TQS) - Commented games of grandmaster Ye Lin.



## YouTube channels



- [xiangqi.com channel](https://www.youtube.com/@XiangqiChineseChess) - Basic lessons and some games commentaries.

- [xqinenglish channel](https://www.youtube.com/@user-bi5iu1ks5z) - Many lessons on various aspects of xiangqi and some games commentaries.

- [Shiro speaks chess](https://www.youtube.com/@SiLangjiangqi/) - Games commentaries in Chinese with English subtitles.

- [Chengdi shen](https://www.youtube.com/@chengdishen) - Several game reviews and lessons in Chinese.

- [Learning Chinese chess](https://www.youtube.com/@LearningChineseChess/) - Lessons on concepts and game commentaries.

- [Sim Yip How channel](https://www.youtube.com/@mastersim) - Some game reviews in English.

- [Singapore xiangqi academy](https://www.youtube.com/@singaporexiangqiacademy2445) - Some lessons on some openings.

- [Globalization of xiangqi](https://www.youtube.com/@FelixTSTan) - Endgame explanations and exercises.



## Engines



- [pikafish](https://github.com/official-pikafish/Pikafish) - Strong engine for xiangqi based on stockfish.

- [fairy-stockfish](https://github.com/fairy-stockfish/Fairy-Stockfish) - Strong engine based on stockfish, which also supports other chess and xiangqi variants.



## Computer xiangqi



- [Chinese chess encyclopedia](https://www.xqbase.com/) - Overview of some computer xiangqi concepts and description of ECCO opening classification.

- [Chinese Chess File Format](https://www.wxf-xiangqi.org/images/computer-xiangqi/chinese-chess-file-format.pdf) - Description of the WXF format by WXF.

- [Computer Chinese Chess](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298870890_Computer_Chinese_Chess) - Overview of the field. A bit old, but still relevant for the basic concepts.

- [Tsan-sheng Hsu page](https://homepage.iis.sinica.edu.tw/~tshsu/) - Lecture notes and several research papers on computer xiangqi.

- [Xiangqi chess engine in JavaScript](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmN0neTso3Jw59oLgLUwSTZ_AO_u-pwWt) - Video tutorials on developing a simple xiangqi engine from scratch in JavaScript.

- [A completed implementation for xiangqi rules](https://sci-hub.se/downloads/2019-03-05/bf/pham2018.pdf) - Paper describing an algorithm to check for perpetual check and perpetual chasing.



## Other useful tools



- [xiangqi-setup](https://github.com/hartwork/xiangqi-setup) - Python script to generate board images from FEN or WXF formats.

- [xiangqi-book-example](https://github.com/hartwork/xiangqi-book-example) - LaTeX template to write text about xiangqi, using `xiangqi-setup` to generate board images from FEN notation.



## Social



- [r/xiangi](https://www.reddit.com/r/xiangqi/) - Subreddit for xiangi related discussions.

- [Xiangqi international discord server](https://discord.gg/PwEFgbR) - General xiangqi related discussions.

- [xiangqi.com discord server](https://discord.com/invite/HMKPJ3sB8d) - To find opponents and chat with the site developers.

- [elephantchess.io discord server](https://discord.gg/WEGDqnWXNg) - To find opponents and chat with the site developer.

- [pychess discord server](https://discord.gg/aPs8RKr) - It has channel dedicated to xiangqi, to discuss about the game and find an opponent.

- [fairy-stockfish discord server](https://discord.gg/FYUGgmCFB4) - It has a channel dedicated to xiangqi.

- [pikafish discord server](https://discord.com/invite/uSb3RXb7cY) - To discuss pikafish development.