RULE GUIDE · CANNON

How the Cannon Moves and Captures

A rook that needs exactly one screen to capture

A cannon moves exactly like a chariot: any distance along a rank or file with a clear path. To capture it must jump over exactly one piece — the screen — and land on an enemy piece beyond it.

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Movement

Same straight lines as a chariot

Capture

Exactly one screen piece

Screen

Any piece from either side

How the cannon moves

When it is not capturing, the cannon slides any distance along a rank or file, and its path must be empty. In that respect it is identical to a chariot.

The difference appears only on captures: moving never needs a screen, capturing always does.

Screens and captures

To capture, the cannon needs two things: the target must be on its line, and exactly one piece must stand between the cannon and that target. That piece is the screen, and it can belong to either side.

With no screen the cannon cannot capture along that line, and with two or more pieces in between it also cannot capture. This single detail causes more beginner mistakes than any other xiangqi rule.

  • One piece between cannon and target.
  • Friendly or enemy pieces both work.
  • Two or more screens cancel the capture.

Why cannons matter

Cannons are usually stronger than horses in the middlegame: they check from a distance and can use the enemy advisors and elephants as screens to attack the palace.

Central cannons and doubled cannons on the same file are classic attacking setups. Their weakness is the endgame, where an empty board leaves few screens.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can a cannon move without a screen?

Yes. Movement along an empty line never needs a screen; only the capturing move does.

Can my own piece be a screen?

Yes. Screens can be friendly or enemy pieces; the rules do not distinguish.

Can a cannon capture over two pieces?

No. It needs exactly one piece in between — one too few or one too many both cancel the capture.

Is the cannon stronger than the horse?

In the middlegame, usually yes, because screens are plentiful and it checks from far away. On an empty board the horse often becomes more useful.

All games

How the Chariot Moves in Chinese Chess Any distance along a rank or file, with a clear path How the Horse Moves in Chinese Chess An L-shaped move that a single piece can block How the Elephant Moves in Chinese Chess Two points diagonally, never across the river How the Advisor Moves in Chinese Chess One point diagonally, always inside the palace

Chinese Chess rules overview

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