---
title: "What Is Check in Xiangqi, and Must You Announce It? · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Check (將軍) means the general is attacked and must be saved immediately. You do not have to announce it, and you may never leave your own general in check."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/what-does-check-mean-in-xiangqi
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# What does check mean 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
>
> Check (將軍, *jiāngjūn*) means the general is under attack and the player **must deal with it immediately** — by capturing the attacker, blocking the line, or moving the general. You are **not required to announce it**, and any move that leaves your own general in check is simply illegal.

## The three answers to a check

- **Capture** the checking piece.
- **Block** the line between it and your general — which does not work against a horse, and against a cannon adds a screen rather than removing one.
- **Move** the general, within the palace, to a point that is not attacked.

If none of the three is available, it is checkmate and you have lost.

## The check people forget

Moving a piece out from between the two generals is illegal, because it would leave them facing each other — which counts as your own general being exposed. This is the most common illegal move a new player tries, and a good board will refuse it with the reason.

## Related questions

Do you have to say "check" in xiangqi?

No. It is optional and, in serious play, not done. Your opponent is responsible for seeing it.

Can you move into check?

No. Any move leaving your own general attacked — including exposing it to the enemy general down an open file — is illegal.

## Related xiangqi resources

Check and checkmate

Including why stalemate is a loss

The flying general

Generals may never face each other down an open file

How the general moves

One point orthogonally, never leaves the palace

## Try it on a real board

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