---
title: "How Does the Horse Move in Xiangqi? · Xiangqi Master"
description: "The horse moves one point orthogonally then one diagonally outward, and is blocked by any piece on that first orthogonal point."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/how-does-the-horse-move-in-xiangqi
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# 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.

## Related xiangqi resources

How the horse moves

An L-shape that can be blocked — it never jumps

Horse endgames

The piece that gains as the board empties

The horse fork

One horse, two targets

## Try it on a real board

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