How does the chariot move in xiangqi?
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
Any number of points along a clear rank or file, capturing the first enemy piece in its path. It is identical in movement to a chess rook, and it is the strongest piece on the board by a wide margin — worth roughly two horses, or a horse and a cannon together.
Why it is worth relatively more than a rook
Everything around it is weaker. There is no queen, the elephant and advisor cannot leave their own half, and the horse can be blocked. A piece that sweeps a whole open line in one move stands out far more here than it does in chess.
It is also the slowest to activate
A chariot needs an open file, and at the start every file is occupied. Planning which file will open — and getting there first — is most of what chariot play consists of. Leaving both chariots at home until move fifteen is one of the most common ways to be lost without having blundered anything.
Related questions
Is the chariot the same as a rook?
In movement, yes. In relative value it is higher, because the rest of the army is weaker.
Can a chariot use the palace diagonals?
No. Only the advisor moves diagonally, and only inside the palace.
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