Mouse
- Click a piece to select
- Click a highlighted destination to move/capture
- Undo/Restart buttons (if provided)
Overview 
Janggi
장기
Korean chess: outmaneuver your opponent and checkmate the General inside the palace.
Similar to xiangqi but with its own character—no river, powerful cannons, and deep tactical skirmishes.
Abstract StrategyBoard GameMind Sport
Goal & Core Rules
Checkmate the opponent’s General (king-equivalent) so they have no legal escape from check.
- Janggi is played on a 9×10 board of intersections; pieces sit on intersections and move along lines.
- Each side’s General must stay inside its 3×3 palace.
- Capture by moving onto an occupied intersection (standard capture).
- If your General is in check, you must respond to remove the check.
- Unlike xiangqi, there is no ‘river’ dividing the board.
Controls
Keyboard
- Arrow keys/Tab: move selection (if supported)
- Space/Enter: select/move (if supported)
- U: undo / R: restart (if supported)
Touch
- Tap a piece to select
- Tap a highlighted destination to move/capture
- Undo/Restart buttons (if provided)
Beginner Tips
- Prioritize General safety: keep defensive pieces coordinated around the palace.
- Learn cannon mechanics early—they create sudden tactics when ‘screens’ exist.
- Trade only when it improves your position; material and tempo both matter.
Advanced Tips
- Watch for pins and skewers along files—chariots and cannons can dominate open lines.
- Use the ability to pass (in some rule sets) cautiously; it can be a powerful tempo tool.
- Plan around palace diagonals: they create unique tactical motifs for generals, guards, and cannons.
Origins & History
Janggi is a Korean chess variant derived from xiangqi (Chinese chess). It is widely played on the Korean Peninsula and is distinguished by features such as the 9×10 board without a river and the palace structure.
Timeline
- 2009 The first world janggi tournament was held in Harbin, China.
Sources
FAQ
Is Janggi the same as xiangqi?
They are closely related, but Janggi has notable differences (e.g., no river, different starting positions, and palace movement lines).
Can the General leave the palace?
No—under standard rules, the General must remain within the 3×3 palace.
What should I learn first?
Piece movement (especially cannons) and basic check/checkmate patterns around the palace.