Guides
Rules that match the playable game, practical strategy without fake certainty, and clearly labeled regional variations.
Banqi (Chinese Dark Chess)
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The complete guide: rules, pieces, the Cannon, variants, and online play — one page.
- How to Play Banqi | Complete Rules & GuideThe complete Banqi (Chinese Dark Chess) guide on one page: setup, flipping, movement, the full piece-rank chart, the Cannon jump, variants, online play, and FAQ.
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The strategy course: principles, opening, mistakes, endgame.
- Banqi Strategy Guide: Opening, Tactics & EndgameA complete Banqi strategy course on one page: five core principles, opening reveals, the seven most common mistakes, endgame technique, and how to review your games.
Compare and background
How Banqi relates to Xiangqi, chess, history, and family play.
- Banqi vs Xiangqi: What Is the Difference?Banqi uses Xiangqi pieces, but its hidden setup, half board, one-square movement, rank captures, and victory condition make it a very different game.
- Banqi vs Chess: 5 Differences You Need to KnowBanqi and Western chess both reward tactics, but hidden pieces, random setup, rank captures, one-square movement, and a different victory condition change everything.
- A Brief History of Banqi—Without Inventing an Origin StoryWhat the available evidence supports about Banqi: its Xiangqi equipment, uncertain origin, changing rules, English names, and computer-game research.
- Teaching Banqi to Kids: A Parent's Simple GuideTeach Banqi to children in short steps: reveal and move first, add ranks, demonstrate the Soldier–General twist, then introduce the Cannon.
- A Beginner's Guide to Chinese Board GamesMeet Banqi, Xiangqi, Weiqi, Gomoku, Jungle, and Mahjong-related traditions without confusing their rules, origins, or modern variants.
Gomoku (Five in a Row)
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The complete guide: rules, rule families, and online play — one page.
- How to Play Gomoku | Complete Rules & GuideThe complete Gomoku (Five in a Row) guide on one page: the 15×15 board, taking turns, winning lines, threats, the exact freestyle ruleset, Renju and Swap2 differences, and online play.
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Threats, shapes, and double attacks.
- Gomoku Strategy: How to Build Threats and Win at Five-in-a-RowPractical freestyle Gomoku strategy: think in threats, recognise open threes and fours, create double threats your opponent cannot block, and defend in time.
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Not sure which game to pick first?
- Gomoku vs Banqi: Which Game Fits You?Compare Gomoku and Banqi by information, luck, movement, teaching time, tactics, game length, and rule variation before choosing what to play.
Xiangqi (Chinese Chess)
Start here
The complete guide: the board, every piece, checkmate, and online play — one page.
- How to Play Xiangqi | Chinese Chess Rules & GuideThe complete Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) guide on one page: the board, river and palace, how all seven pieces move, check and checkmate, the flying-general rule, online play, and FAQ.
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The strategy course: opening priorities, piece values, mating patterns, endgame.
- Xiangqi Strategy Guide: Openings, Tactics & EndgameA complete Xiangqi strategy course on one page: opening priorities, what every piece is really worth, the classic mating patterns, the five most common mistakes, and endgame technique.
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How full Xiangqi relates to its face-down cousin, Banqi.
- Banqi vs Xiangqi: What Is the Difference?Banqi uses Xiangqi pieces, but its hidden setup, half board, one-square movement, rank captures, and victory condition make it a very different game.
Big Two (Deuces)
Start here
The complete guide: the deal, card order, every combination, the straight table, and house-rule differences — one page.
- How to Play Big Two | Complete Rules & GuideThe complete Big Two (大老二) guide on one page: the deal, card order, the three of clubs opening, every legal combination, the straight table, passing, and how these Taiwanese house rules differ from other versions.
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The strategy course: control, counting, passing on purpose, and the endgame.
- Big Two Strategy: Control, Counting & the EndgameA practical Big Two strategy guide for the two-player game: why the lead is the real prize, how to plan your thirteen cards as a sequence of plays, when to pass on purpose, and how to close out the endgame.