What are the opening principles in xiangqi?
These answers restate the rules implemented by our open-source engine, which follows the WXF laws for movement, checkmate and both repetition rulings: a side that forces a repetition by perpetual check or perpetual chase loses rather than drawing. The chase half has not been validated against the official casebook. Where an answer refers to a specific position, that position lives on the linked reference page, where the build verifies it before publishing.
Direct answer
Four that cover most of it: bring something new into the game every move; defend the central soldier; open a file for a chariot early, because it is the strongest piece and the slowest to activate; and leave advisors and elephants where they are unless there is a concrete reason.
Why the chariot rule matters most
A chariot needs an open file and at the start there are none. Players who develop cannons and horses and forget the chariots find themselves on move fifteen with their two strongest pieces doing nothing. Plan the file before you need the piece.
Why advisors and elephants should not move
They cannot cross the river, so moving them gains no ground at all — it only changes which palace points are covered, and the point you vacate is very often the one the attacker needs. An aimless advisor move is how a lot of mates become possible.
Related questions
How many moves should the opening take?
Roughly the first ten. By then both chariots should have a purpose.
Should I attack immediately?
Only with a real threat and a second piece behind it. One attacker achieves nothing.
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