---
title: "Must You Respond to Check Immediately in Xiangqi? · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Yes. You must answer a check on the very next move by capturing, blocking or moving the general. Any other move is illegal."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/must-you-move-out-of-check
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# Must you get out of check immediately 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
>
> **Yes, on the very next move.** You must capture the checking piece, block the line, or move the general to a safe point. Any move that leaves your general attacked — including a move that exposes it to the enemy general — is illegal and simply cannot be played.

## When blocking does not work

- **Against a horse** — blocking the line is meaningless; you must block the horse's *leg*, capture it, or move.
- **Against a cannon** — adding a piece to the line gives it a *second* screen, which switches the check off. Removing the existing screen does the same.
- **Against a double check** — nothing can be blocked or captured; the general must move.

## Perpetual check is not a way out

Answering check forever by giving check back does not produce a draw. Under the repetition laws, the player delivering perpetual check is required to vary and loses if they will not.

## Related questions

Can I ignore check if I have mate in one?

No. The rules are absolute: you must answer the check, whatever else is available.

Is a double check possible?

Yes, usually from a discovered attack. The general must move — nothing else answers two checks at once.

## Related xiangqi resources

Check and checkmate

Including why stalemate is a loss

Discovered attacks

Sharper here than in chess, because of the cannon

Perpetual check and chase

Repetition is adjudicated, not automatically drawn

## Try it on a real board

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