---
title: "The Best Palace Defence in Xiangqi · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Keep both advisors and both elephants, keep a spare point for the general, and block the central file before an attack arrives rather than after."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/what-is-the-best-defence-for-the-palace
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# What is the best defensive setup for the palace?

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
>
> Keep **both advisors and both elephants**, leave the general a **spare point**, and **block the central file early** rather than reacting once a cannon is already on it. A full defence of two advisors and two elephants holds a lone chariot to a draw, which is the benchmark every defensive decision should be measured against.

## Count attackers, do not react to threats

The common defensive failure is answering each threat as it appears, one move at a time, while the attacker brings a third piece. Instead count: how many pieces can they get to your palace in three moves, and how many can you get back? If their number is larger, you need to trade something off now.

## Trading is defence

Trading a piece is the most reliable way to defuse an attack, because two attackers become one and one attacker achieves nothing. Giving up a soldier to trade a chariot is frequently correct even when it looks like a concession.

## Related questions

Is it worth a soldier to keep both advisors?

Usually yes in the endgame. Whole classes of mate become possible the moment one advisor goes.

Should elephants stay at home?

Mostly, but not if they are supplying an enemy cannon with screens. Then moving one out of the firing line is right.

## Related xiangqi resources

Advisors and elephants

The defence that decides most endgames

Attacking the palace

How xiangqi attacks are built

Common mistakes

The errors that decide most club games

## Try it on a real board

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