History

Xiangqi, or Chinese chess, evolved from an ancient Chinese game called Liubo that was created 3,500 years ago. It consists of various pieces such as; one general,five pawns, and the game is decided by the capturing of the general. In the Tang Dynasty Xiangqi had transformed into a game with many game pieces (other than generals and pawns). It was during the mid period of Tang Dynasty, when the modern game of Xiang Qi began.

Books of early Tang Dynasty, only mentioned the game of Xiang Xi. In the story, a native of Yu Nan, lived in a deserted house in Xia Zhou. One night he had dreamt about a messenger from the Golden Elephant Kingdom. The messenger informed him about a war that would soon engage. The story describes a mouse that transforms into a gate of a castle. It also describes two armies facing each other, outside the castle. As the story goes on it describes different moves each army does.