RULE GUIDE · CHECK

Check and How to Answer It in Chinese Chess

Three legal ways to answer a check

When the general is attacked it is in check, and the player must answer immediately. There are only three legal answers: move the general, capture the attacking piece, or block the line of attack.

Practise on a real board

Check

The general is attacked

Answers

Move, capture, or block

Illegal

You may never leave your general in check

The three answers

First, move: step the general to a palace point that is no longer attacked, without creating a flying-general position.

Second, capture: take the piece that is giving check. Third, block: place a piece between the attacker and your general. Blocking works differently against cannons, because a cannon needs exactly one screen to capture.

  • Move the general to safety.
  • Capture the checking piece.
  • Interpose a piece on the line.

What counts as an illegal move

Any move that leaves your own general under attack is illegal, including moving into check and creating a flying-general position. The move generator filters these out, so only legal destinations are shown on the board.

When you are in check you cannot simply play an unrelated move: that move must also answer the check.

  • Your general must be safe after the move.
  • Flying general positions are illegal.
  • Everything else is rejected.

Perpetual check and other losses

Repeated checking by one side is a foul. That side must vary its moves; refusing to do so loses the game.

Similar rules cover perpetual chasing and blocking. In this app the position history is tracked automatically, so repeated positions can be adjudicated correctly.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can I move another piece while in check?

Only if that move also answers the check by moving, capturing or blocking. Otherwise it is illegal.

Does blocking always stop a check?

No. Chariots and horses cannot pass a blocker, but a cannon needs exactly one screen, so blocking rules differ by piece.

What is perpetual check?

Checking repeatedly without variation. One-sided perpetual check is a foul and loses if the player refuses to change.

What does “moving into check” mean?

Leaving your own general attacked after your move. It is illegal and the app will not allow it.

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 Cannon Moves and Captures A rook that needs exactly one screen to capture How the Elephant Moves in Chinese Chess Two points diagonally, never across the river

Chinese Chess rules overview

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