RULE GUIDE · HORSE

How the Horse Moves in Chinese Chess

An L-shaped move that a single piece can block

The horse moves one point straight and then one diagonally. If the adjacent point in the straight direction is occupied, both destinations in that direction are blocked.

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Figure 1
Figure 1: the soldier at C3 blocks the horse at C2 from reaching B4 or D4. × means blocked.
Figure 2
Figure 2: removing C3 clears both horse-leg routes, marked ○. A full move must still keep the general safe.

In Figure 1, can the horse at C2 reach D4 while its own soldier occupies C3?

These are local movement diagrams. A real move must also keep your own general safe.

In Figure 1, can the horse at C2 reach D4 while its own soldier occupies C3?

Show answer and explanation

Answer: No, either colour can block the leg. No. C3 is the leg for this move. Remove its occupant, then check the destination and your general’s safety.

The link below opens a full game to practise this rule.

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Why can a move still be illegal with a clear leg?

The destination must be on the board and free of friendly pieces, and the move must not expose your general. A blocked leg affects only its own direction.

Practise this rule in a Xiangqi puzzle

Check the horse leg and escape points in a verified horse-and-soldier mate in two.

Try the matching puzzle →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can the horse jump over pieces?

Yes, the horse jumps — but only if its straight-ahead leg point is empty. A blocked leg makes the move illegal.

Do pieces on the diagonal block the horse?

No. Only the first straight point blocks it; pieces on the diagonal never do.

Is the horse stronger than the cannon?

Usually the cannon is slightly stronger in the middlegame, but on an open board the horse catches up quickly.

Can a horse capture with a blocked leg?

No. A blocked leg makes the move illegal whether or not it would capture.

All games

How the Chariot Moves in Chinese Chess Any distance along a rank or file, with a clear path 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 How the Advisor Moves in Chinese Chess One point diagonally, always inside the palace

Chinese Chess rules overview

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