# Chinese Chess Lite (中国象棋)

> Digital Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) board game for strategy enthusiasts. (iPhone/iPad app by 3asoftware.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chinese-chess-lite/id405685303 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [3asoftware](https://appshunter.io/developer/362021037)
- Category: Games, Education, Board, Trivia
- Price: Free
- Rating: 1.60/5 from 12 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 3.0 · 3 MB
- Languages: American English, Chinese (Simplified, China), Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong SAR China)
- Released: 2010-12-04
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chinese-chess-lite/id405685303/reviews.md

## What is Chinese Chess Lite (中国象棋)?

棋,是中國傳統的二人對弈棋類遊戲。其他類似的有朝鮮象棋及日本將棋。为与國際象棋(西洋棋)等區別,又稱中國象棋,主要流行于華人及越南人社区。是首届世界智力运-
动会正式比赛項目。 
象棋的棋盤由九條直線和十條橫線相交而成。棋子放在各條線的相交點上,並在線上移動。棋盤中間的一行沒有畫上直線,稱為「河界」,通常標上楚河漢界字樣,源自-
楚漢相爭時的鴻溝,或標上「觀棋不語真君子,起手無回大丈夫」等字樣。 
現行的中式記錄方法是:九條直線,紅方從右到左用漢字「一」至「九」表示,黑方在自己的那一面從右到左用數字「1」至「9」表示。也就是說,紅方的直線「一」-
就是黑方的直線「9」,以此類推。第四條直線(或第 6 條直線)和第六條直線(或第 4 條直線)稱為「兩肋」、「兩肋線」,簡稱「肋」。棋盤上,劃有斜交叉線而構成「米」字形方格的地方,雙方各有一塊,稱為「九宮格」,簡稱「九宮」,是將/帥和士/仕活-
動的區域。 
棋子的顏色分紅和黑或(蓝、绿),雙方各有 16 隻棋子: 
分別是一隻將(帥)、二隻士(仕)、二隻象(相)、二隻車(俥)、二隻馬(傌)、二隻砲(炮)、五隻卒(兵)。 
==================================================
Xiangqi (Chinese: 象棋; pinyin: Xiàngqí) is a two-player Chinese board game in the same family as Western chess, chaturanga, shogi, Indian chess and janggi. The present-day form of Xiangqi originated in China and is therefore commonly called Chinese chess in English. 
The game represents a battle between two armies, with the object of capturing the enemy's "general" piece. Xiangqi is one of the most popular board games in China. Distinctive features of Xiangqi include the unique movement of the pao ("cannon") piece, a rule prohibiting the generals (similar to chess kings) from facing each other directly, and the river and palace board features, which restrict the movement of some pieces. 
Besides China and areas with significant ethnic Chinese communities, Xiangqi is also a popular pastime in Vietnam. 
Its Chinese name can be treated as meaning "Image Game" or "Elephant Game": 
象 means primarily "elephant" and is derived from a stylized drawing of an elephant; it also means "image", as a jiajie (re-use for another word which was pronounced the same). 
棋 means "game". 
Xiangqi contains features which are not in Indian chess: the river, the palace, and putting the pieces on the corners of the squares. These features may have come from an earlier Chinese board game (perhaps a war-type game) which was also called 象棋 (Xiangqi). As in an astronomical context 象 sometimes means "constellation" (i.e. a figure made of stars), there were early Chinese theorizings (which Harold James Ruthven Murray followed and believed) that the older Xiangqi simulated the movements of stars and other celestial objects in the sky.

## Key features

- Traditional Xiangqi gameplay
- Learn game rules
- Piece movement explanations
- Play against AI
- Two-player mode

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chinese-chess-lite/id405685303/reviews.md

### 1/5 — D;

*2011-12-25, version 1.2*

Crashes and there's no "Resume Game" button. I keep accidentally pressing 'back' and it immediately ends the game = __ =
 Sorry can't write or read Chinese xD

### 5/5 — 很好

*2011-03-09, version 1.1*

很不错

### 1/5 — the worst app i know

*2011-03-08*

waste my time. the worst app

## Frequently asked questions about Chinese Chess Lite (中国象棋)

### What is Chinese Chess Lite?

Chinese Chess Lite is a mobile application that provides a digital representation of the traditional Chinese board game, Xiangqi. It allows users to learn the game's rules and play matches.

### Can I play Chinese Chess Lite offline?

The provided data does not specify whether Chinese Chess Lite can be played offline. However, many board game apps offer offline play against AI opponents.

### How does Chinese Chess Lite compare to Western chess?

Xiangqi, or Chinese Chess, shares similarities with Western chess but features distinct pieces like the 'cannon' and includes board elements like a 'river' and 'palace' that affect gameplay.

### What are the game modes in Chinese Chess Lite?

Chinese Chess Lite offers modes to learn the game's rules and piece movements, and allows for play against an AI or another player.

### Is Chinese Chess Lite suitable for all ages?

The app has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger players and adults alike. It's a classic strategy game that can be enjoyed by a wide audience.

### Does Chinese Chess Lite have ads?

No, Chinese Chess Lite does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download and play without interruptions from ads.

### What devices support Chinese Chess Lite?

Chinese Chess Lite is supported on iPhones and iPods. The app was last updated on March 29, 2011, with version 1.2.

### What is the user sentiment for Chinese Chess Lite?

User sentiment for Chinese Chess Lite appears to be mixed, with an average rating of 1.6 stars from 12 ratings. This suggests some users may have encountered issues or have specific preferences not met by the app.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.2 — 2011-03-29

fixed bug which only display background image without menu Items.

### 1.1 — 2011-01-11

Chinese Version added.

### 1.0 — 2010-12-04

No release notes.

## More apps by 3asoftware

- [Four-in-a-row free](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/four-in-a-row-free/id383052268)
- [Bubble Burst Free](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bubble-burst-free/id585976278)

All apps by 3asoftware: https://appshunter.io/developer/362021037

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*