Learn to play CHINESE CHESS (XIANGQI) in 18 minutes!

[@samuelchen2075]

Your explanation is very clear and easy to understand, and for the most part, there are no issues at all. Thank you so much for sharing! However, if it’s helpful to you or other viewers, I’d like to add and correct a few minor details: 1) The Xiang ("象" or "相" ) in Chinese chess does not refer to an elephant (although the "象" piece on the black side does share the same character as "elephant" in Chinese, and there are some similar folk explanations in China). Instead, it represents a military advisor or the concept of "change," which is a rather complex idea in ancient Chinese philosophy that I won’t elaborate on here. 2) The Pao "炮" (or "砲") originally did not refer to cannons but to catapults. This change came about during the last major update to Chinese chess (approximately 1,000 years ago), reflecting the evolution of the times and leading to the version we have today. 3) Regarding the "Flying King" rule you mentioned, it is actually connected to the river in the game (the Chu-Han border). Once Han's leader stood facing the opposing camp, hurling insults, and the other side shot an arrow that nearly hit him. This incident inspired the "Flying King" rule. Of course, not knowing these details doesn’t affect the enjoyment of Chinese chess itself. Please continue to enjoy the game!

[@MustreaderChess]

Wow, very interesting and informative stuff! Thanks very much for sharing this, 谢谢！

[@FongYukYu]

Greg teaching xiangqi was not on my 2025 bingo card, but I'll take it. I wish I learned when my grandpa was still with us, but it's never too late! Fun fact: there's an idiom called 飛象過河 (flying elephant crosses the river), which is used when rules are broken. It's customary to eat family style, so I was taught it means to not 'cross the river' and only take food from the 'front' side of dishes on the table, the part that's closest to you. Don't pick from the 'back' or dig around for what you want. Dad-ism lies!

[@MustreaderChess]

@@FongYukYu wow, what a great idiom! Thanks for sharing! I am learning Mandarin, so will add that one to my active vocabulary!

[@gautam-narula]

@@MustreaderChessyou should post some videos on your experiences on language learning, it’s pretty interesting what languages you speak/are learning to speak

[@MustreaderChess]

@ maybe I will!

[@annn2780]

is this a reference to the recent bans of xiangqi grandmasters lmao

[@MustreaderChess]

@@annn2780 no, I decided to make this video before learning about the news. It’s just a coincidence xD

[@Chill_Enigma]

This is so cool! Thank you for sharing and well done!

[@MustreaderChess]

@@Chill_Enigma thanks, glad you liked it!

[@riccardozanda8977]

Good video!

[@Unchained_Alice]

Always wondered about this. I learnt Shogi but never learnt this.

[@MustreaderChess]

@@Unchained_Alice I’m going to learn shogi as well. I’m sure I’ll love it

[@gautam-narula]

@@MustreaderChessif you learn Go (or already know how to play) please make a video on it as well!

[@CarlosYu917]

It’s crazy how just a week ago a huge chunk of the professional players just got banned for match fixing. If u even agreed to a prearranged draw u could get 1 year

[@MustreaderChess]

@CarlosYu917 Yes, apparently this is less punishable in chess than xiangqi