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swap_horiz Xiangqi Alternatives

Looking for alternatives to Xiangqi? Compare the top Chess Variant options ranked by our AI scoring system.

You're looking at alternatives to:
Xiangqi

Xiangqi

Xiangqi is a traditional board game originating in China. It utilizes a 9x10 grid with a prominent river dividing the playing area. The game’s notable features include unique piece movements like the “river cannon” and restrictions based on the central waterway. Xiangqi is primarily enjoyed by indiv...

9.5 Brilliant

apps Top Xiangqi Alternatives

The top alternative to Xiangqi in 2026 is Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess) with a score of 9.8/10, followed by Shogi (9.7) and Co Tuong (9.4).

1
Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess)

Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess)

Chess960, also known as Fischer Random Chess, presents a modern variation of chess where the initial board arrangement i...

Modern Competitive Randomized Setup Variant
9.8 Brilliant
2
Shogi

Shogi

Shogi is a traditional Japanese strategy game resembling chess. It’s notable for its ‘drop’ rule: captured pieces can be...

Traditional Japanese Promotion Regional
9.7 Brilliant
3
Co Tuong

Co Tuong

Cờ tướng is the Vietnamese form of xiangqi, the two-player board game commonly called Chinese chess in English. It is pl...

Historical East Asian Regional Vietnamese
9.4 Excellent
4
Rapid Chess

Rapid Chess

Rapid chess is a chess time-control category in which each player receives more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes...

Modern Competitive Time Control Format
9.3 Excellent
5
Makruk (Thai Chess)

Makruk (Thai Chess)

Gochugaru is a Korean seasoning made from dried red chili peppers, usually sold as coarse flakes or a finer powder. It i...

Historical Regional Thai Slow
9.2 Excellent
6
Janggi

Janggi

Janggi is a Korean chess variant distinguished by its larger 9x10 board and unique piece movements. It retains strategic...

Korean Traditional Palace Regional
9.1 Excellent
7
Dobutsu Shogi

Dobutsu Shogi

Dobutsu Shogi, also marketed as "Let's Catch the Lion," is a simplified variant of the traditional Japanese board game s...

Japanese Mini Regional Children
8.7 Great
8
Makruk

Makruk

Makruk, widely known as Thai chess, is a traditional strategy board game that closely resembles the ancient Indian game...

Classical Traditional Regional Thai
8.5 Great
9
Cambodian Chess (Ouk)

Cambodian Chess (Ouk)

Ouk, also called Ouk Chatrang or Cambodian Chess, is a Cambodian regional chess variant closely related to Thai Makruk....

Historical Regional Cambodian Southeast Asian
8.4 Great
10
Sittuyin (Burmese Chess)

Sittuyin (Burmese Chess)

Sittuyin, also called Burmese chess, is a traditional chess variant from Myanmar. It is played on an eight-by-eight boar...

Historical Regional Southeast Asian Burmese
8.2 Great
11
Banqi

Banqi

Banqi is a two-player board game variant of Xiangqi (Chinese chess) popular in Taiwan. The game is played on a 4x8 grid,...

Regional Chinese Hidden Info 4x8
8.1 Great
12
Cambodian Chess

Cambodian Chess

Cambodian Chess, known as Ouk Chaktrang, is the traditional chess game of Cambodia, closely related to Thai Makruk and d...

Variant Historical Regional Asean
8.1 Great
13
Kriegspiel

Kriegspiel

Kriegspiel is a chess variant in which neither player can see their opponent's pieces, creating a game of incomplete inf...

Classic Traditional Hidden Incomplete Information
8.0 Great
14
Suicide Chess

Suicide Chess

Suicide Chess is a chess variant that reverses the traditional objective of the standard game. The primary goal is for a...

Online Traditional Misere Reversed Goal
7.7 Good
15
Ouk Chatrang

Ouk Chatrang

Ouk Chatrang, also called Cambodian chess, is a traditional chess variant played in Cambodia and related to other Southe...

Classical Traditional Regional Cambodian
7.6 Good
16
Hiashatar

Hiashatar

Hiashatar is a Mongolian chess variant played on a 10 by 10 board. Its defining feature is a bodyguard piece whose prese...

Historical Regional Mongolian Central Asian
7.6 Good
17
Sittuyin

Sittuyin

Sittuyin is the traditional chess game of Myanmar and belongs to the family of games derived from the ancient Indian gam...

Traditional Regional Southeast Asian Burmese
7.5 Good
18
Dai Dai Shogi

Dai Dai Shogi

Dai dai shogi is a historical Japanese board game belonging to the shogi family, which also includes standard shogi and...

Japanese Historical Large Regional
7.2 Good
19
Shatar

Shatar

Shatar is a traditional Mongolian chess game related to the shatranj family of historical chess. It uses a board and arm...

Traditional Regional Asian Mongolian
6.7 Fair
20
Shakhmaty

Shakhmaty

Shakhmaty is the Russian plural form of shakhmaty, the Russian word used for chess. It refers to the same two-player boa...

Classical Russian 19TH Century Historical
5.3 Mediocre

summarize Quick Comparison Summary

Alternative Score vs Xiangqi Action
Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess)
Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess)
Chess Variant Modern Competitive Randomized
9.8 Brilliant +0.3 Compare
Shogi
Shogi
Chess Variant Traditional Japanese Promotion
9.7 Brilliant +0.2 Compare
Co Tuong
Co Tuong
Chess Variant Historical East Asian Regional
9.4 Excellent -0.1 Compare
Rapid Chess
Rapid Chess
Chess Variant Modern Competitive Time Control
9.3 Excellent -0.2 Compare
Makruk (Thai Chess)
Makruk (Thai Chess)
Chess Variant Historical Regional Thai
9.2 Excellent -0.3 Compare
Janggi
Janggi
Chess Variant Korean Traditional Palace
9.1 Excellent -0.4 Compare
Dobutsu Shogi
Dobutsu Shogi
Chess Variant Japanese Mini Regional
8.7 Great -0.8 Compare
Makruk
Makruk
Chess Variant Classical Traditional Regional
8.5 Great -1.0 Compare
Cambodian Chess (Ouk)
Cambodian Chess (Ouk)
Chess Variant Historical Regional Cambodian
8.4 Great -1.1 Compare
Sittuyin (Burmese Chess)
Sittuyin (Burmese Chess)
Chess Variant Historical Regional Southeast Asian
8.2 Great -1.3 Compare

See all Chess Variant ranked by score

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help Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best alternatives to Xiangqi?
The top alternatives to Xiangqi in 2026 include Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess), Shogi, Co Tuong, Rapid Chess, Makruk (Thai Chess). Each offers unique features and is objectively scored on Lunoo to help you compare.
How does Xiangqi compare to its competitors?
Our AI-powered comparison system analyzes features, pricing, user reviews, and expert opinions to provide objective scores. Xiangqi scores 9.5/10. Click any alternative above to see a detailed side-by-side comparison.
Is Xiangqi worth it in 2026?
Xiangqi scores 9.5/10 on Lunoo, making it a highly-rated option in the Chess Variant category. However, alternatives like Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess) may better suit specific needs.
What is the best free alternative to Xiangqi?
Several alternatives to Xiangqi offer free plans or free tiers. Check the alternatives listed above and visit their websites to compare pricing and free options.
Why should I switch from Xiangqi?
Common reasons users look for Xiangqi alternatives include pricing, specific feature gaps, better integration needs, or simply exploring newer options. Our objective scoring helps you compare without bias.
How many alternatives to Xiangqi are there?
Lunoo currently lists 20 scored alternatives to Xiangqi in the Chess Variant category, ranked by our AI-powered evaluation system.
Which Xiangqi alternative has the highest rating?
Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess) currently holds the highest rating among Xiangqi alternatives with a score of 9.8/10.
Can I use Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess) instead of Xiangqi?
Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess) is one of the top-rated alternatives to Xiangqi. While they serve similar purposes in the Chess Variant space, each has distinct strengths. Use our comparison tool above for a detailed side-by-side analysis.
What is the cheapest alternative to Xiangqi?
Pricing varies among Xiangqi alternatives. We recommend checking each alternative's website for current pricing. Many options in the Chess Variant category offer free tiers or competitive pricing.
How are Xiangqi alternatives ranked on Lunoo?
Lunoo uses an AI-powered scoring system that analyzes category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, recency, and value to provide 0 to 10 scores. Rankings are updated continuously.
Xiangqi vs Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess): which is better?
Xiangqi scores 9.5/10 while Chess960 (Fischer Random Chess) scores 9.8/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.
Xiangqi vs Shogi: which is better?
Xiangqi scores 9.5/10 while Shogi scores 9.7/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.
Xiangqi vs Co Tuong: which is better?
Xiangqi scores 9.5/10 while Co Tuong scores 9.4/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.

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