What the pieces are worth
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Direct answer
A common scale is chariot 9, cannon 4.5, horse 4, soldier 1 before the river and 2 after it, advisor 2 and elephant 2. The numbers are a starting point rather than a rule. A soldier doubles in value when it crosses the river, a cannon loses value as the board empties, and an advisor is worth more than its number in the endgame.
The working numbers
| Piece | Chinese | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chariot | 俥 / 車 | 9 | The strongest piece by a wide margin |
| Cannon | 炮 / 砲 | 4.5 | Worth more early, less as pieces leave |
| Horse | 傌 / 馬 | 4 | Worth less early, more as pieces leave |
| Advisor | 仕 / 士 | 2 | Defensive only, decisive in endgames |
| Elephant | 相 / 象 | 2 | Defensive only, never crosses the river |
| Soldier before the river | 兵 / 卒 | 1 | Forward only |
| Soldier after the river | 兵 / 卒 | 2 | Gains sideways movement |
One chariot is worth roughly two horses, and roughly a horse and a cannon. That single comparison decides more trades than any other.
The three times the numbers stop being true
- A soldier that crosses the river. It gains sideways movement and doubles in value. Three crossed soldiers are a serious attacking force, and the same three soldiers on their own side are almost nothing.
- A cannon as the board empties. A cannon needs a screen to capture, so it weakens with every trade. Late in the game a horse is usually worth more than a cannon, which reverses their opening order.
- An advisor when the attack arrives. Two advisors hold positions that one advisor loses, so the second advisor is worth far more than the first. Giving up a soldier to remove one is often a good trade.
Using values over the board
Count material, then count the defence separately. Equal material with a broken defensive structure is often losing, and that will not show up in the totals.
The other habit worth building is to ask what a piece is doing rather than what it is worth. A chariot with no open file is not worth nine, and a horse planted in front of the enemy palace is worth more than four.
Common mistakes
Trading a chariot for a horse and a cannon happily
It is roughly level on paper and often bad in practice, because two pieces need time to coordinate and a chariot does not.
Treating all soldiers alike
A crossed soldier is worth about twice an uncrossed one. Count them separately.
Ignoring advisors in the count
The defensive structure decides endgames. An extra soldier does not compensate for a missing advisor.
Related questions
What is the most valuable piece in xiangqi?
The chariot, by a clear margin. It is worth roughly two horses. See how the chariot moves.
Is a cannon worth more than a horse?
Early yes, late no. The cannon needs a screen to capture, so it fades as the board empties, while the horse gains freedom. See horse endgames.
How much is a soldier worth in xiangqi?
About one before it crosses the river and about two after, because crossing gives it sideways movement. A soldier that reaches the enemy palace can be worth far more than that.
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