---
title: "Why Is Red the First Player in Xiangqi? · Xiangqi Master"
description: "Convention, reinforced by red's cultural status as the auspicious colour in China. The rule is fixed rather than chosen per game."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/blog/why-is-red-the-first-player
updated: 2026-09-22
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# Why does Red move first in xiangqi?

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
>
> **Convention.** Red is the auspicious colour in Chinese culture, and the pieces are traditionally red and black ink on wood. The rule that Red moves first is fixed — not chosen by the players — and in tournaments who plays Red is decided by draw or by the pairing rules.

## Sets that are not red and black

Some sets use green or blue for the second side, and digital boards vary widely. The side that moves first is still "Red" regardless of the physical colour, which occasionally confuses people using a set with unusual colours.

## What the first move is worth

Real but modest — master databases put Red around 53–56%, which is less than White's edge in chess. Its practical value is the right to choose the opening and force an answer.

## Related questions

Can we agree Black moves first?

Not under the rules. If you want the first move, you want to be Red.

Is Red at the bottom in diagrams?

Conventionally yes, though some publications reverse it.

## Related xiangqi resources

Board setup

The board, the river, the palace, and where the 32 pieces go

The Central Cannon

The most played first move in the game

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.