Xiangqi notation
Xiangqi moves can be written in three ways: WXF, a coordinate style that engines call ICCS, and classical Chinese. WXF uses a piece letter, a file number, and a direction sign. This site writes every move in WXF, and you can turn on the coordinate labels around the board.
Updated 10 September 2026
Three ways to write a move
Xiangqi has three common notation systems: WXF, a Western coordinate style, and classical Chinese. Engines and databases call the coordinate style ICCS. Each system records the same information: which piece moves, and where it goes. Players and books mix them, so it helps to read all three.
WXF notation: letters and signs
WXF notation uses one letter for each piece. The letters are G, A, E, H, R, C, and S. They stand for general, advisor, elephant, horse, chariot, cannon, and soldier. R marks the chariot, because C already marks the cannon. A number after the letter gives the file. Files are counted from the player's own right to left. A plus sign means forward. A minus sign means backward. An equals sign means sideways. The move C2=5 sends the cannon on file 2 sideways to file 5. The move H8+7 starts the horse on file 8 and moves it forward to file 7. For the horse, elephant, and advisor, the number after the sign is the file where the piece lands. For the chariot, cannon, soldier, and general, the number is how many points the piece moves forward or back. When two pieces of the same kind stand on one file, a sign replaces the file number. A plus sign marks the front piece, nearer the opponent. A minus sign marks the rear piece. The move +R+3 moves the front chariot three points forward.
ICCS coordinates
ICCS notation gives one coordinate for every point on the board. File a lies on Red's left and file i on Red's right, and the same letter names the same file for both players. Ranks count from Red's side, 0 to 9. A move lists the start point and the end point together, so the Central Cannon move C2=5 is h2e2. The labels on this site's board count ranks 1 to 10 instead, so the same move reads h3e3 on the board.
Classical Chinese notation
Classical Chinese notation names the piece, then the direction, then a number. Three characters give the direction. Jin (進) means forward, tui (退) means backward, and ping (平) means sideways. Red's moves usually use Chinese numerals. Black's moves usually use Arabic numerals. The Central Cannon opening reads 炮二平五 for Red and 馬8進7 for Black.
Reading a game score
A game score lists every move in order, numbered from the first move. This site shows each move in WXF, next to the board position at that point. Click a move to see the board as it stood then. Copy the list as plain text to share a game or study it later.
Questions and answers
What is WXF notation?
WXF notation is the most common way to write xiangqi moves in English. This system uses one letter for the piece, a file number, and a sign for direction. The sign shows forward, backward, or sideways movement. The World Xiangqi Federation gives the system its name.
What do the plus and minus signs mean?
In WXF notation, a plus sign means the piece moves forward. A minus sign means the piece moves backward. An equals sign means the piece moves sideways, without changing rank. These three signs cover every direction a xiangqi piece can move.
Which files and ranks does ICCS notation use?
ICCS notation labels the nine files a to i, the same for both players. This site numbers the ten ranks 1 to 10, counted from Red's side of the board. Other sources number ranks 0 to 9 instead. Check which convention a source uses before you read its move list.
Which notation does the move list on this site use?
The move list on this site uses WXF notation for every move. WXF is the most common system in English-language xiangqi writing. The board can show file letters below it and rank numbers beside it. Turn these labels on or off in the board settings.