How does the horse 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
One point orthogonally, then one point diagonally outward — an L-shape, like a chess knight's destination. The difference is that it never jumps: a piece standing on the first, orthogonal point blocks the move completely. On an empty board a horse has eight moves; in a real game it often has three.
Counting the eight
Two moves in each of the four orthogonal directions: step up, then diagonally up-left or up-right, and so on for down, left and right. Because each direction's two moves share the same first step, one blocking piece removes two moves at once.
Why it grows stronger later
Every piece that leaves the board is one fewer piece that can block a leg. A horse that was stumbling in the middlegame moves freely in the endgame, which is why a horse usually outvalues a cannon once the board empties — the reverse of their opening order.
Related questions
Which point blocks a horse?
The one it steps through — the orthogonal point, not the destination. Pieces of either colour block it.
Can a horse be blocked by its own pieces?
Yes, and beginners do this constantly by putting a soldier or advisor on their own horse's leg.
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