---
title: "Where to Play Xiangqi Online Free · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Yes. You can play xiangqi free in a browser against the computer or a real opponent, with no download and no account needed to start."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/can-you-play-xiangqi-online-free
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# Can you play xiangqi online for free?

These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws and is regression-tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it against the engine before publishing.

> Direct answer
>
> Yes — and you do not need an account to start. You can play against a **computer opponent at several strengths** or against a real person in a browser, with nothing to install. An account only adds a rating, saved games and progress tracking.

## Playing the computer first

If you have just learned the rules, play the computer at its lowest level a dozen times. It never gets impatient, it punishes hung pieces consistently, and there is no social cost to losing quickly — which you will, and should.

Illegal moves are refused with the reason, so the board itself teaches the rules you have not absorbed yet.

## Moving on to people

Computers at low levels play unnatural moves. Once you can beat the easy levels, switch to human opponents: their mistakes look like the mistakes you will meet, and their attacks come from plans rather than from search.

Play some slow games. Fast games give you volume without decisions worth reviewing.

## Related questions

Do I need to create an account?

Not to play. An account adds a rating, saved games and progress tracking, and is free.

Is there a xiangqi app?

This site's client runs in any browser, on phone or desktop, which is why there is nothing to install.

## Related xiangqi resources

Play xiangqi

Free, in the browser, nothing to install

Play the computer

Four difficulty levels, no account needed

Tactics puzzles

One right idea per position

## Try it on a real board

Reading an answer is one thing; playing it is another. Free, instant, and nothing to install.