Players who already know xiangqi most often slide a cannon on an empty file and treat facing generals as illegal. Fix those two habits first. If the rules are still new, read the Janggi rules, then practice each idea against AI.
Find the cannon screen
A cannon cannot move without a screen. In the opening, look for a soldier or horse that can serve as that pad, then aim the cannon at a chariot or the general. If the screen is a cannon, or the target is a cannon, the move is illegal.
Opening a file too soon lets the other chariot and cannon in together. Before a trade, count whether your general still has a square after the line opens.
Palace diagonals
The general may step one square along the palace X. When checked, that diagonal step often leaves a chariot file more cleanly than a straight retreat. Guards should hold the palace corners so the general is not trapped on the back rank.
Elephants travel far, but both landings can be blocked. Look at the first square and the second before you develop one; do not treat the path as a xiangqi field-move.
Soldiers and bikjang
Soldiers may step sideways from the first move, so the center fills quickly. A sideways step that clears your own chariot, or that plugs a cannon line, is often better than pushing forward.
Facing generals is a legal threat. After a chariot or soldier vacates a file, the other side must answer. Do not step the general off the file just because xiangqi forbids two kings facing each other.
Practice one idea per game
You do not need every difference at once. Pick one goal for a game: check the general every turn, use the cannon only with a planned screen, or calculate one extra ply before opening a file. After the game, replay the moves that belong to that goal and undo from the first departure.
- Opening: Play Cho first. Remember the cannon cannot slide empty, and soldiers may already move sideways.
- Middlegame: Before each move, confirm whether the general is in check, then look for bikjang.
- Review: Find the first opened cannon line or the move that walked the general onto an empty file, step back one move, and compare defense, a trade, and a king step.
Frequently asked questions
Which piece should I move first?
There is no single answer. A horse move that gives the cannon a screen is common; a central soldier stepping aside for the chariot also works. The general does not need to leave the palace center early.
Should every game chase bikjang?
Not always. Check whether the opponent can block with one piece, and whether opening the file exposes your own general to a chariot.
Which level does the hint use?
Hints use the same search as the AI level in the sidebar. Choose your own candidate first, then compare it with the hint. If they differ, look for check, a missing cannon screen, and newly opened files.
How do two players keep a match fair?
Cho always moves first. Play two games and swap colors. Trust the highlighted squares for legality; a highlight does not mean the move is strong.
