---
title: "What Is the Rib (肋) in Xiangqi? · Xiangqi Master"
description: "The rib files are the two files either side of the centre file, running along the palace's sides. A chariot there attacks the general's escape squares."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/what-is-the-rib-in-xiangqi
updated: 2026-09-29
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# What is the rib 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
>
> The **rib** (肋, often 肋道) is the name for the **two files either side of the centre file**: files 4 and 6 in notation. They run straight down the **sides of the palace**. Attackers value them because a piece on the rib, above all a chariot, bears on the points the general needs to step sideways.

## Why the rib matters

The general lives on three files: the centre and the two ribs. If a chariot controls one rib, the general cannot step onto that side, and any check down the centre file becomes much harder to meet. A chariot on the rib also aims at the palace's corner points, where the advisors stand, and can pin or attack them. A chariot occupying the rib is one of the standard attacking set-ups, and a common attacking plan is to get a chariot onto the rib with tempo.

## Rib and centre together

The centre file belongs to the central cannon and the general; the ribs belong to the chariots. Combine them and the general runs out of room: one piece checks down the middle while the rib piece covers the side step. Many mates in [the checkmate patterns](https://xiangqimaster.com/tactics/checkmate-patterns) are built this way. See [attacking the palace](https://xiangqimaster.com/learn/attacking-the-palace) for how the pieces divide the work.

## Defending the rib

As defender, keep an eye on your rib files. An advisor on its corner point blocks one, and the general itself can step onto a rib to escape the centre. The danger is the moment an enemy chariot reaches a rib with your advisors unable to cover it. Trading off the attacker's chariot, or blocking the file early, is usually cheaper than defending against it later.

## Related questions

Why is it called the rib?

The palace is the body; the files down its sides are its ribs. It is a vivid way to say "alongside the general".

Is a cannon on the rib also strong?

It can be. Moving a cannon to the rib in the opening is a known system; see [the palace corner cannon](https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/what-is-the-palace-corner-cannon).

## Related xiangqi resources

Attacking the palace

How xiangqi attacks are built

Checkmate patterns

The named mates worth knowing

Chariot endgames

The most common endgame of all

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