| Image | Name (Western Equivalant) Pronuciation (Mandarin) | Number On Each Side | Abbreviation |
| 將 or 帅 | General (King) jiang1/ shuai | 1 | K |
| 士or 仕 | Mandarin or Assistant (Queen) shi4 | 2 | M or A |
| 象 or 相 | Elephant (Bishop) xiang4 | 2 | E |
| 马 | Horse (Knight) ma3 | 2 | H or N |
| 车 | Chariot (Rook) che1 | 2 | R |
| 炮 | Cannon pao4 | 2 | C |
| 卒 or 兵 | Soldier (Pawn) zu2/bing1 | 5 | P |
Any 1 point on the grid in an orthogonal (non-diagonal) direction within the palace. It cannot leave the palace except in a theoretical move when it moves along a file from its own palace to the enemy’s palace thus capturing the enemy’s general. Therefore it is illegal to make any move that leaves your own general in an open file opposite the enemy’s general because it places your general in check.
1 point diagonally within the palace, i.e. it cannot leave the palace.
象 or 相 Elephant (Bishop)
2 points in any diagonal direction. Cannot leap over any piece. Also it cannot cross the river.
马 Horse (Knight)
1 point in an orthogonal (non-diagonal) direction followed by one point in a diagonal point thus ending two points away from starting position. It may not leap over other pieces (i.e. if there is a piece of either color at the elbow point then it cannot move in that direction).
车 Chariot (Rook)
Moves any number of points either horizontally or vertically but not diagonally; it cannot leap other pieces (same as a rook).
炮 Cannon
When not capturing a piece it moves exactly as a chariot. In order to capture a piece it must leap another piece of either color before landing on the point of the captured piece. It cannot leap over more than one piece but it can leap the river when capturing.
卒 or 兵 Soldier (Pawn)
1 point forward. After it crosses the river it can move 1 point forward or 1 point sideways. It never moves backwards or diagonally. Unlike Western chess it captures the same as it moves, either forward or after crossing the river sideways, never diagonally. Pawns do not promote; when they reach the end of the board they can then either move right or left (sideways).
2. The game is won by either checkmating or stalemating the enemy General.
3. You cannot perpetual check. For example you cannot check the opponent more than 3 times in a row with the same piece or the same board position.
4. You cannot force an enemy piece to move perpetually between two points to avoid capture. If this occurs then the person attacking must withdraw the attack.
5. The game is a draw when neither side can force either checkmate or stalemate.
