Xiangqi (Chinese Chess)Free, no sign-up

Xiangqi is Chinese chess, one of the most played board games in the world. Pieces stand on the points where the lines of a 9×10 board cross, and you win by checkmating the enemy general. Compared with Western chess there's a river across the middle, a 3×3 palace (marked with diagonal lines) that the general and advisors can't leave, no promotion, and no castling. You play Red, from the bottom, and move first.

The chariot (車) moves any distance straight, like a rook. The horse (馬) moves one point straight and then one diagonally outward, like a knight — but it can't jump if the point right next to it in that direction is occupied. The elephant (相/象) moves exactly two points diagonally, can't jump over a piece in between, and can't cross the river. The advisor (仕/士) moves one point diagonally inside the palace, and the general (帥/将) one point straight inside the palace. The cannon (炮/砲) moves like a chariot, but captures by jumping over exactly one piece. The soldier (兵/卒) moves one point forward, and once across the river it may also move one point sideways (never backward).

Two stand out. The generals may never face each other on the same file with no piece between them — a move that would allow that is illegal. And a player who has no legal move loses, even when not in check (there is no stalemate draw). This board won't let you choose an illegal move.

When the same position appears three times, the game ends. If one side gave check on every move in that stretch (perpetual check), that side loses; otherwise it's a draw. Draws aren't recorded.

Easy looks 2 plies ahead (one move by either side counts as a ply) and Normal looks 3, then follows the captures a few more plies. Only wins are recorded, scored as 200 minus your number of moves. Highest score first; ties go to the shorter time. The server replays your game, including the computer's replies, to verify it.