Xiangqi Openings
The opening shapes the middlegame. Here are 28 main Xiangqi opening systems — each has its own page with notation, strategic ideas, and common replies.
Central Cannon炮二平五The single most popular Xiangqi opening. Red brings a cannon to the central file, aiming it straight at the enemy general along the middle line. Aggressive and direct.Screen Horses马8进7，马2进3The classic, rock-solid reply to Central Cannon. Black develops both horses close to the palace, forming a "screen" that defends the centre and prepares flank counterattacks.Identical Cannons (Shun Pao)炮二平五，炮8平5Both sides plant a cannon on the central file facing each other. A balanced, highly tactical opening that leads to open, sharp battles.Cross Cannons (Lie Pao)炮二平五，炮2平5Black answers Central Cannon with a cannon on the opposite file. The cannons face off diagonally, producing immediate tension and wild, tactical games.Adjacent Soldier (Xian Ren Zhi Lu)兵三进一（或兵七进一）Red advances a soldier before committing any major piece — "the immortal points the way". A flexible, modern opening that keeps options open and tests Black's plan.Horse Opening (Qi Ma Ju)马二进三（或马八进七）Red jumps a horse out first, delaying the cannon. A calm, flexible system favoured by players who like to build a solid position and steer the middlegame.Flying Elephant (Fei Xiang Ju)相三进五（或相七进五）Red strengthens the centre with an elephant before anything else. A famously solid, defensive opening associated with grandmaster Hu Ronghua.Cross Palace Cannon (Guo Gong Pao)炮二平六Red shifts a cannon across the palace mouth to file 6. A flexible, slightly quiet opening that prepares horse development on both wings.Corner Cannon (Shi Jiao Pao)炮二平四Red tucks a cannon into the advisor's corner. An ultra-calm, preparatory opening that stabilises the palace before launching any plan.Cannon Behind Soldier (Zu Di Pao)兵七进一，炮2平3The standard, sharp reply to Adjacent Soldier. Black immediately aims a cannon at the base of Red's advanced soldier, fighting for the centre early.Five-Six Cannon (Wu Liu Pao)炮二平五，炮八平六A calm, solid Central Cannon system where the left cannon tucks to file 6, preparing to develop horses and connect chariots. Balanced and low-risk.Five-Seven Cannon (Wu Qi Pao)炮二平五，炮八平七A flexible Central Cannon line where the left cannon aims at file 7, supporting a horse on the flank and preparing to pressure Black's position.Five-Eight Cannon (Wu Ba Pao)炮二平五，炮八进四An aggressive Central Cannon variant where the left cannon jumps to the river to harass Black's horses and seize space.River Patrol Cannon (Xun He Pao)炮二平五，炮八进二A gentle Central Cannon setup where the left cannon advances just to the river, ready to defend or exchange. Great for beginners who want a safe, flexible start.Turtle Back Cannon (Gui Bei Pao)炮二平五，车一进一，车一平四，炮八退一An unusual, defensive cannon system where the left cannon retreats to form a "turtle shell" — solid but slow, favoured by patient players.Mandarin Duck Cannons (Yuan Yang Pao)炮二平五，马八进七，炮八退一A rare, tricky cannon system where both cannons are manoeuvred to meet on the same flank, confusing opponents with unusual piece coordination.Double River Cannons (Shuang Pao Guo He)炮二平五，炮八进四A bold double-cannon thrust where both cannons advance to the river to grab space and pressure Black's camp directly.Central Horse (Pan Tou Ma)炮二平五，兵五进一，马二进三A Central Cannon attacking system where Red advances the central soldier and develops a horse to the centre, aiming for a direct kingside assault.Left River Cannon (Zuo Pao Feng Che)马8进7，马2进3，炮8进4The classic Screen Horses counter to Central Cannon: Black builds the horse wall, then a left cannon jumps to the river to pin Red's chariot on file 2.Right River Cannon (You Pao Guo He)马8进7，炮2进4A Screen Horses variant where Black's right cannon goes to the river to contest space and pressure Red's flank early.Anti-Palace Horse (Fan Gong Ma)炮8平6，马8进7，马2进3A fortified defence to Central Cannon: Black plants a "counter-cannon" at the palace mouth and wraps both horses around it — solid and hard to break.Single Horse (Dan Ti Ma)马二进三，马八进九A quiet, lopsided horse system where Red holds one horse in the corner, keeping a calm and flexible position without committing cannons early.Bent-Foot Horse (Guai Jiao Ma)马二进三，马三进四An old, attacking horse system where the horse advances in a bent path toward the centre, supporting a quick pawn storm.Side Horse (Bian Ma Ju)马八进九A minimalist opening where Red simply advances an edge horse, keeping the position fluid and avoiding early commitments.Double Horse (Shuang Zheng Ma)马二进三，马八进七A balanced horse-first system where Red brings out both "straight" horses, prioritising harmony and a solid base over early central control.Mirror Soldier (Dui Bing Ju)兵三进一，卒7进1The symmetric reply to Adjacent Soldier: both sides push a soldier, keeping the position balanced and the centre closed.Two-Headed Snake (Liang Tou She)兵三进一，兵七进一A soldier storm where Red advances both wing soldiers, preparing to support horses crossing the river on either side.Iron Slide Chariot (Tie Hua Che)车一进一，车一平九A flashy, sacrificial opening where Red gives up a chariot for early chaos and a surprise attack — exciting but objectively unsound.