---
title: "What Is WXF Notation in Xiangqi? · Xiangqi Master"
description: "WXF notation writes xiangqi moves in Latin letters and numbers, like C2=5 or H8+7, mirroring the Chinese system move for move."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/what-is-wxf-notation
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# What is WXF notation?

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
>
> WXF notation is the **World Xiangqi Federation's romanised** way of writing moves: a piece letter, the file it stands on, a direction sign, and a destination. **C2=5** means "cannon on file 2 traverses to file 5" — the same move as 炮二平五.

## Reading it

- **Letters** — K general, A advisor, E elephant, H horse, R chariot, C cannon, P soldier.
- **Directions** — `+` forward, `-` backward, `=` along the rank.
- **Files** — numbered 1–9 from each player's own right, so the same file has two numbers depending on who is moving.

After `+` or `-`, the last number is how far for straight-line pieces, or the destination file for horses, elephants and advisors.

## When two pieces are on one file

Prefixes replace the file number: `+` for the front one and `-` for the rear one. So `+R+1` is "the front chariot advances one". Chinese uses 前 and 後 for the same thing.

## Related questions

Is WXF the same as the Chinese notation?

Structurally identical, just written in Latin script. Both are covered on [reading notation](https://xiangqimaster.com/rules/notation).

Why do both sides count files from the right?

Because each player reads the board from their own side. It means the same physical file is file 2 for one player and file 8 for the other.

## Related xiangqi resources

Reading notation

炮二平五 and C2=5 — the same move, two ways

Xiangqi glossary

Every term, with the Chinese and the WXF spelling

Xiangqi questions answered

Every question on this site, in one index

## Try it on a real board

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