---
title: "How to Read Xiangqi Notation · Xiangqi Master"
description: "A move names the piece, the file it is on, a direction, and a destination — 炮二平五 or C2=5 are the same move written two ways."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/how-do-you-read-xiangqi-notation
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# How do you read xiangqi notation?

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
>
> Every move has four parts: **which piece**, **which file it stands on**, **which direction**, and **how far or where to**. So 炮二平五 reads "cannon, file 2, traverse, to file 5" — and C2=5 in WXF romanisation says exactly the same thing.

## The three directions

- **進 / +** — forward, toward the opponent.
- **退 / −** — backward, toward yourself.
- **平 / =** — sideways along the rank.

After 平 the last number is always a destination *file*. After 進 or 退 it is a *distance* for chariots, cannons, soldiers and generals, but a destination file for horses, elephants and advisors, because those move diagonally and a distance would be ambiguous.

## Files are counted from your own right

Red numbers the files 一 to 九 from Red's right; Black numbers them 1 to 9 from Black's right. So the same physical file is file 2 for one player and file 8 for the other, and a move is always written from the perspective of the side making it.

## Related questions

Why do the two sides number files differently?

Because each player reads the board from their own side. It is consistent once you stop trying to use one set of numbers for both.

Which notation should I learn?

WXF if you only want to read this site and western sources; Chinese if you want books and game records. They are the same system. See [reading notation](https://xiangqimaster.com/rules/notation).

## Related xiangqi resources

Reading notation

炮二平五 and C2=5 — the same move, two ways

Xiangqi glossary

Every term, with the Chinese and the WXF spelling

Xiangqi questions answered

Every question on this site, in one index

## Try it on a real board

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