---
title: "How to Use Cannons in the Xiangqi Opening · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Put one on a line that matters — usually the central file — and avoid moving either of them three times before your chariots have moved once."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/how-do-you-use-cannons-in-the-opening
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# How should I use my cannons in the opening?

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
>
> Put one on a line that **already does something**, usually the central file, and then leave the cannons alone and develop. The starting position hands cannons long open lines for free, which is why they are natural first movers — and also why beginners over-move them and fall behind in development.

## The one good cannon move

炮二平五 or its mirror. It aims at the enemy general through the central soldiers and forces a reply. After that, a second cannon move is usually worse than a horse or chariot move, because the cannon is already doing its job.

If you have moved a cannon three times and both chariots are at home, you are behind, whatever the board looks like.

## Do not chase with it

A cannon shuffling along a rank hunting a soldier is a cannon not attacking the palace. Cannons are strongest when they point at something permanent — the general — and weakest when they are used as raiders.

## Related questions

Should I always play the Central Cannon?

No, but it is the best one to learn first. [飛相局](https://xiangqimaster.com/openings/elephant-opening) and [仙人指路](https://xiangqimaster.com/openings/pawn-opening) are fully sound alternatives.

Where does the second cannon go?

Often to the file beside the centre, ready to swing across to form 重炮 or to support a chariot.

## Related xiangqi resources

The Central Cannon

The most played first move in the game

Opening principles

What the first ten moves are actually for

Choosing an opening

How many you need, and which pair to learn

## Try it on a real board

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