Xiangqi endgames

Xiangqi endgames are more exact than chess endgames, and more of them are known results. Two facts drive almost everything: a player with no legal move loses, and whether the defender still has advisors and elephants very often settles the whole question.

By material

Chariot endgamesThe most common, and the most decisive Soldier endgamesWhen one crossed soldier is enough Horse endgamesThe piece that gets stronger as the board empties Cannon endgamesThe piece that needs something to jump over Basic checkmatesWhat forces mate against a bare general, and what does not Advisors and elephantsThe defensive structure that decides most endgames

Proven results

Endgame verdicts, provenSolved position by position, not quoted from a manual

The principles behind them

Why stalemate is a lossThe rule that changes every endgame Why advisors decide endgamesTwo small pieces, the whole result

Being written

Mixed-material endings — chariot against horse and cannon, and the practical positions that decide most games — are in progress, with practice drills.

Related questions

Why do advisors matter so much in xiangqi endgames?

They block the palace diagonals that attacking pieces need. Many endings are a straightforward win against a general with no advisors and a dead draw against one with both, so the same material can be winning or drawn depending on them alone.

Can a lone chariot win against a general with advisors?

Generally not against a correctly defended general with two advisors and two elephants. A chariot plus almost any second unit changes the picture, which is why endgame trades need care.

Learn it on the board

Everything here is easier once you have played a game. Start one now — free, and no download.

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