Movement
One point diagonally
RULE GUIDE · ADVISOR
How the Advisor Moves in Chinese Chess
One point diagonally, always inside the palace
The advisor moves exactly one point diagonally and can never leave its own palace. It has five reachable points in total, and its job is to shield the general.
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Restriction
Never leaves the palace
Role
Defends the general
The advisor move
The advisor always moves one point diagonally. It cannot move straight, and it cannot move two points at once.
The palace is a hard boundary: only the five points inside the three-by-three palace are ever legal for it.
- One point, diagonally.
- Confined to the palace.
- Five reachable points in total.
Defensive value
Advisors are bodyguards. They sit next to the general and cut the lines of enemy chariots, cannons and horses, making it much harder to attack the palace directly.
With both advisors and both elephants alive the palace is solid. Losing an advisor permanently weakens that structure, especially against cannons.
Common mistakes
Beginners sometimes expect the advisor to roam the board like a bishop; it cannot. It is also a poor attacker, so trading an advisor for a soldier is usually a bad deal.
In endgames, protect your advisors: without them the general is exposed to straight-line attacks.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can the advisor move straight?
No. It always moves one point diagonally; straight moves belong to the general and the soldiers.
Can the advisor cross the river?
No. It can never leave its own palace, let alone cross the river.
How many points can an advisor reach?
Five: the centre of the palace and its four corners.
Should an advisor attack?
Almost never. Advisors are defensive pieces, and leaving the palace usually creates more risk than it creates threat.
Updated
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