Learn the Palace, Then the Cannon
Janggi is related to xiangqi, but its board has no river. Cho moves first. Generals and guards stay in the palace, where they can follow the painted diagonals; cannons need a screen to move or capture. Pick an AI level and make the first move.
How a Game Begins
The board has nine files and ten ranks, with no river. Cho starts at the bottom and Han at the top. The general and guards stay inside their own palace, including its diagonals. Elephants move one step straight, then two diagonally, and can be blocked along the way. Cannons must jump exactly one non-cannon screen and cannot capture another cannon. Soldiers may move sideways from the opening, but never backward.
Two generals facing each other on an open file is legal. You do not need to memorize every piece before your first game. Start with a chariot, horse, or cannon and keep an eye on your general's escape squares. Afterwards, replay the moment a cannon line opened or a general was left on an open file.
No River, Generals in the Palace
The generals begin in the middle of their palaces, not on the back rank. Elephants stand outside the horses in the opening setup. With no river to cross, they can reach either half of the board, but their longer route gives opponents more chances to block them. Before lining up a chariot or cannon, check which palace diagonals are open.
Cannons Jump, Soldiers Slide
Unlike a xiangqi cannon, a Janggi cannon cannot travel down an empty file. It needs exactly one screen to move or capture, and that screen cannot be another cannon. Soldiers can move sideways from the start, so the center closes quickly. Facing generals is a legal threat that can force the other general off a file.
Hints Match Your AI Level
Choose from multiple AI levels. Play Cho and move first, or take Han and respond. Hints use the same level you selected, and undo removes both your move and the reply. When the game ends, replay the move that opened a cannon line or left your general exposed. The game calculates each move in your browser.
9×10board, no river
16pieces per side
Cannonmust jump a screen
Matetrap the opposing general
