Xiangqi

Xiangqi is played on a 9x10 grid where pieces are placed on the intersections of lines rather than inside the squares. The board is divided in half by a central "river" that restricts certain pieces, like the Elephant. Each side also features a 3x3 "palace" where the General and Advisors are confined.

The Cannon moves like a standard Rook but must jump over exactly one intervening piece, called a "screen," to capture an enemy piece. In the opening setup, two cannons sit on the back rank behind the horses. This jumping mechanic drastically changes the opening strategies compared to Western chess.

The General in Xiangqi can only move one point orthogonally and is strictly confined to the 3x3 palace grid. Furthermore, the two Generals cannot face each other directly on an open file without an intervening piece. If they do, it is an illegal move, acting as a rule known as the "flying general."

Yes, Xiangqi is heavily played online on servers dedicated to Asian board games, such as online portals like PlayOK and dedicated mobile apps. There are also frequent Xiangqi AI engines, similar to Stockfish for Western chess, that dominate the highest levels of digital play. The game has an estimated global player base of hundreds of millions.