XIANG HEX
by L. Lynn Smith


Xiang Hex is Chinese Chess played upon an elongated hexagonal field,
consisting of nine files with the outer ones being seven cells and the
center being eleven. The "palace" consists of seven cells, the first three
cells of the center file and the first two cells which flank. The "river"
is denoted by fourth cell of the first and ninth file, the fifth cell of
the third and seventh file and the sixth cell of the center file. The
player's side of the field consist of the cells before the "river".


            e11
          d10_ f10
        c9 _/g\_ g9
      b8 _/m\_/m\_ h8
    a7 _/e\_/ \_/e\_ i7
     _/h\_/ \_/ \_/h\_
    /c\_/ \_/ \_/ \_/c\
    \_/a\_/ \_/ \_/a\_/
    /s\_/s\_/s\_/s\_/s\
    \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/
    / \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \
    \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/
    / \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \
    \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/
    / \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \
    \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/
    /S\_/S\_/S\_/S\_/S\
    \_/A\_/ \_/ \_/A\_/
    /C\_/ \_/ \_/ \_/C\
    \_/H\_/ \_/ \_/H\_/
      \_/E\_/ \_/E\_/
    a1  \_/M\_/M\_/  i1
      b1  \_/G\_/  h1
        c1  \_/  g1
          d1   f1
            e1


SOLDIER(S) step one forward orthogonal before entering the "river". Upon
and after entering the "river" step one forward, right forward or left
forward orthogonal, or right or left diagonal.

HORSE(H) step one vacant orthogonal then one diagonal in the same
direction.

CHARIOT(C) slide orthogonal.

CANNON(A) slide orthogonal through vacant cells, may leap any one piece to
capture an enemy.

ELEPHANT(E) step two diagonal and never cross the "river".

MANDARIN(M) step diagonal and never leave the "palace".

GENERAL(G) step orthogonal and never leave the "palace". Not permitted be
on an empty file with the opposing GENERAL.



The game is won by checkmating the opposing GENERAL. A player loses if
stalemate or repetition of position. If both players have no pieces which
can cross the "river", the game is drawn.