Play Chinese Chess Online

I remember loading up Chinese Chess from the MS-DOS Classic Games collection, a simple title with no developer or publisher splash screens to speak of. It was just there, a digital version of a board game that felt perfectly at home in that era of straightforward, no-frills software. You didn't need a manual; the game presented its ancient rules with a quiet confidence, a stark grid waiting for your first move.

You control an entire army of red or black pieces, each type with its own strict movement pattern, and your objective is to checkmate the opponent's general. The cannon, for instance, must jump over exactly one piece to capture another, a rule that constantly forces you to reassess the board. The river dividing the field isn't just for show; it restricts the movement of certain soldiers and elephants, adding a layer of strategic geography to every decision. The pacing is deliberate, almost slow, demanding careful thought for each turn as you navigate these intricate limitations. It feels like a quiet, intense battle of wits where a single misstep can unravel twenty minutes of careful planning.

Each game uses different controls, most DOS games use the keyboard arrows. Some will use the mouse , "Alt" ,"Enter" and "Space bar".