How the Cannon Moves and Captures

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. A cannon cannot jump over a piece to land on an empty point.

Can a cannon capture over two pieces?

No. Count only the pieces strictly between the cannon and its enemy target on the same rank or file: zero screens prevents a capture, one allows it, and two or more prevent it. Do not count the cannon or the target as screens.

For example, a friendly soldier can screen a capture of an enemy chariot. Add another intervening piece and the capture becomes illegal. The capture must also leave your own general safe.

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.

Practise this rule in a Xiangqi puzzle

Use a black advisor as the single cannon screen in a verified chariot-and-cannon mate in two.

Try the matching puzzle · Practise this rule in a Xiangqi puzzle →