Play Banqi with Two Players

Banqi pieces and ranks

These are the same xiangqi discs, but they all start face-down. Face-up pieces step one square orthogonally. Higher rank captures lower, equals may take equals, and a soldier may take the king.

King · 帅 / 将Strongest in a straight capture, except it cannot take a soldier.

Advisor · 仕 / 士Rank just below the king. One orthogonal step, like every other Banqi piece.

Elephant · 相 / 象Below advisor. No two-point diagonal and no river — Banqi has neither.

Chariot · 俥 / 車Below elephant. Still valuable, but it only steps one square per turn.

Horse · 傌 / 馬Below chariot. No L-jump here; it also steps one square orthogonally.

Cannon · 炮 / 砲Steps one square when empty. To capture, jump exactly one screen onto a face-up enemy, any rank.

Soldier · 兵 / 卒Weakest in a normal fight, but it can capture the king. The king cannot capture it.