How does the soldier 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 forward, always. Once it has crossed the river it may also move one point sideways. It never moves backwards, it captures exactly the way it moves, and there is no promotion — crossing the river is the only upgrade it ever gets.
Crossing doubles its value
An uncrossed soldier is worth about 1 and a crossed one about 2, because sideways movement lets it attack more than the single point ahead. Three crossed soldiers are a real attacking force; the same three at home are close to nothing.
Do not push it to the edge
A soldier on the last rank can only move sideways, and one in a corner is effectively dead. Push soldiers toward the palace, where a single soldier covering one escape point turns a check into a mate.
Related questions
Do soldiers capture diagonally?
No — unlike chess pawns, they capture exactly as they move.
Is there promotion?
No. Reaching the last rank gives nothing extra.
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