Xiangqi openings
An opening is the first few moves of a xiangqi game. The two best known openings in English are Central Cannon and Screen Horses. This page gives their moves in WXF, plus other common first moves.
Updated 10 September 2026
Why the first moves matter
The opening sets up the middlegame. Good early moves develop pieces and protect the general. Only two openings have a settled English name: Central Cannon and Screen Horses. This page names the other common first moves by their move text.
Central Cannon
Central Cannon is the most common opening. Its Chinese name is 當頭炮, dāng tóu pào. The move is C2=5, which sends the cannon to the centre file. The cannon then jumps its own soldier and threatens the opponent's central soldier.
Screen Horses: the common reply
Screen Horses is the most common answer to Central Cannon. The Chinese name is 屏風馬, and the full English name is Screen Horses (Defence). Black first plays H8+7 and develops one horse. Screen Horses then adds the other horse with H2+3. Both horses now guard the central soldier.
Other common first moves
Players use many other first moves. One is the elephant to the centre, E3+5. Another is H2+3, which develops a horse before the cannon. A third puts a cannon on a side file with C2=4 or C2=6. These lines have Chinese names, but no settled English one.
Opening principles for beginners
Move a piece toward the centre of the board early. Protect the general before starting an attack. Do not move the same piece twice without a reason. Watch for the flying general rule when files open up between the two generals.
Questions and answers
What is the Central Cannon opening?
Central Cannon is the most common xiangqi opening. Its Chinese name is 當頭炮. The move is C2=5, which places the cannon on the centre file. From there the cannon jumps its own soldier and attacks the opponent's central soldier.
What is Screen Horses?
Screen Horses is the usual answer to Central Cannon. Its Chinese name is 屏風馬. Black develops both horses, H8+7 and H2+3, so they guard the central soldier against the cannon on the centre file.
Do other opening moves have names?
Xiangqi players use many first moves beyond Central Cannon and Screen Horses. Most of those lines have a Chinese name but no settled English one. This site names them by their move text instead.
What should a beginner play first?
A beginner should develop pieces toward the centre and protect the general early. Avoid moving one piece back and forth without a plan. Watch the open files between the two generals, since an illegal flying general position can trap a careless player.