Play xiangqi
Every position, move and legality claim on this page is verified programmatically against our open rules engine, which implements the WXF laws and is tested against the official 110-diagram repetition casebook.
Direct answer
There are four ways to play here, and which one is right depends on what you want. Quick match pairs you with a rated opponent at your strength. The open lobby lets you choose the game instead. The computer plays at four strengths with no account. A private room gives you a link to send to one person.
Against the computer — start here if you are new
Four strengths, no account, and hints from the same engine that is playing you. Level one will let a beginner make mistakes and still finish a game, which matters more than it sounds: the fastest way to learn xiangqi is to complete games, not to study openings.
Take moves back freely and ask for a hint whenever the position stops making sense.
Quick match — the fastest route to a person
Pick a time control and you are paired with whoever else is waiting. Results count towards your rating, so after a few games the pairing settles on opponents who give you a real contest.
This needs a free account, because a rating has to belong to somebody.
Open challenges — choose your game
The lobby lists games people have posted: their time control, and whether they want it rated. Accept one, or post your own and wait for someone to take it. Use this instead of quick match when you care which kind of game you get.
With a friend — a private room
Open a private room and send the link to one person. Nobody else can join, there is no lobby involved, and it works across any distance. This is the right choice for playing someone you already know.
You can also add people as friends and challenge them directly next time.
On a phone
There is no app to install — it is a web page, so it runs in the browser you already have. The board scales to the screen and the pieces stay large enough to tap accurately, which is the thing most free xiangqi sites get wrong on a phone.
If you want the rules while you play, the rules section covers every law with a board you can test it on.
Related questions
Do I need an account to play xiangqi here?
Not to play the computer. Rated games against people and private rooms need a free account, because a rating and a game history have to belong to somebody.
Can I play xiangqi against a friend online?
Yes — open a private room and send them the link. Only the person with the link can join.
Is there a xiangqi app to install?
No, and you do not need one. The board is a web page and runs in any modern browser on phone, tablet or desktop.
What time controls can I play?
From fast blitz to slower rapid games with an increment, which adds a few seconds after each move so a won position is not lost on time alone.
