What should I do while my opponent is thinking during their turn?
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
Stay engaged with the position, not switched off. The most useful thing to do while your opponent thinks is to keep working on the position yourself: consider what they might play and how you would answer each option, so you are not starting from zero once it is actually your move.
Why drifting off costs you more than it seems to
A xiangqi position can change sharply with a single strong or surprising move, and a player who has been mentally idle needs time to reorient before they can even begin calculating a reply. Staying engaged, even loosely, means your opponent's move lands on a mind that is already warmed up rather than one starting cold.
What this should not turn into
Staring, sighing, or visibly reacting to your opponent's candidate moves crosses into distraction and, in formal play, can be treated as against the spirit of fair conduct even without a word being said. Working the position out quietly in your head is fine; performing your thinking for your opponent to see is not.
Related questions
Is it rude to get up from the board while my opponent thinks?
In formal play, brief and quiet breaks are normal and expected; extended absences during a critical moment are generally discouraged.
Should I pre-plan several moves ahead while waiting?
Loosely, yes, though hold any plan lightly, since your opponent's actual move may make it irrelevant entirely.
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