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Overview

Janggi

2 players · 15-60 min per session

Checkmate the opponent’s General (king-equivalent) so they have no legal escape from check.

Players: 2P Session length: 15-60 min

Board GameStrategyTwo Player

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.

Web Easy

A VS-computer mode with shorter AI thinking time so mobile/web play starts quickly.

Two Player

Local hot-seat play where two people take turns on the same device.

AI vs AI

Watch two AIs play automatically while you follow the move log.

Controls

Mouse

Click a piece to select
Click or drag to a highlighted intersection to move/capture
Use the menu for Pass, Undo, New Game, and Help

Keyboard

The current web build does not provide dedicated keyboard controls.

Touch

Tap a piece to select
Tap or drag to a highlighted intersection to move/capture
Use the menu for Pass, Undo, New Game, and Help

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

Janggi — Wikipedia

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.