What is the difference between xiangqi and janggi?
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
Janggi (장기) uses the same 9×10 board but differs substantially: you may pass a turn, the elephant has a longer move and is not river-bound, the general and advisors use the palace diagonals, and the cannon cannot jump or capture another cannon and needs a screen to move as well as to capture.
Why passing changes everything
In xiangqi, having no legal move is a loss. In janggi you can pass, so that situation never arises — which makes janggi endgames behave completely differently, and makes many xiangqi mating patterns impossible there.
The pieces that differ most
- Elephant — janggi's moves one orthogonal then two diagonal, and crosses freely.
- Cannon — needs a screen to move, cannot use or capture another cannon.
- General — uses the palace diagonals, which xiangqi's does not.
- Soldier — janggi's can move sideways from the start.
Related questions
Can I play janggi on a xiangqi board?
Yes — the grids are compatible. Only the piece rules and the palace markings differ in use.
Which is older?
Janggi derives from xiangqi, with Korean modifications developed over centuries.
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