The cannon (Pháo, 炮 / 砲) is the piece that makes xiangqi unlike any other chess game. It moves like a chariot, but it captures by jumping over exactly one piece. That single rule creates tactics that do not exist in international chess, and it is responsible for a huge share of the decisive moments in real games.
For a beginner the cannon is also the most dangerous piece to misjudge. This article explains how it works, when it is strong, when it is weak, and how to defend against it.
How the cannon moves and captures
Movement: any number of points in a straight line, horizontally or vertically, as long as the path is clear — exactly like a chariot.
Capture: the cannon must jump over exactly one piece (of either color) and land on the first enemy piece after it. The piece it jumps is the screen; Vietnamese players call it the "ngòi" (fuse).
Three consequences follow immediately:
- A cannon cannot capture a piece standing right in front of it with nothing in between.
- A cannon cannot capture if two or more pieces stand between it and the target.
- A cannon gives check whenever exactly one piece stands between it and the enemy general on a line.
Why the cannon is strongest early
At the start of the game the board is crowded. There are screens everywhere: soldiers, horses, elephants, advisors. The cannon can find a screen almost anywhere, so it threatens a lot.
That is why the most popular first move in xiangqi is C2=5, the Central Cannon: the cannon moves to the center file and aims at the black soldier on file 5, using the black soldier's own neighbors and pieces as potential screens toward the general. Black must respond with care — usually by defending the center soldier with a horse (H8+7 or H2+3). See the Central Cannon opening for the details.
Why it gets weaker later
As pieces are exchanged, screens disappear. In an endgame with few pieces, a cannon may find no screen at all and become a slow chariot that cannot capture. Many players rate a cannon slightly above a horse in the opening and slightly below it in the endgame. A common endgame tip: a cannon wants a screen near its target — keep a piece of your own that can act as one, such as an advisor or a soldier.
Classic cannon ideas
The central cannon aimed at the palace
A cannon on the center file with one piece between it and the enemy general gives check. With two pieces between, it "pins" both: if either moves away, the other becomes the screen and the general is in check. This makes the pieces in front of the enemy general very uncomfortable.
Double cannon on one file
Two cannons on the same file, one behind the other, are a powerful attacking formation: the front cannon serves as the screen for the rear one. If the front cannon is on the enemy general's file with nothing else between, the rear cannon gives check through it. Vietnamese players call a related mating pattern "trùng pháo" (doubled cannons).
Cannon behind the horse
A horse moving off a line can "discover" a cannon attack, or a horse can land in exactly the right spot to become the screen that turns a cannon's aim into check. Combined horse–cannon attacks are among the most common winning patterns in real games.
The cannon on the back rank
A cannon slipping to the enemy's back rank, with an advisor or elephant as a screen, can check along the rank. Combined with a chariot, this often finishes the game.
How to defend against a cannon
A cannon check can be answered in more ways than any other check:
- Move the general out of the line.
- Capture the cannon.
- Remove the screen — move the piece between cannon and general away, so the cannon has nothing to jump.
- Add a second piece between cannon and general — two pieces block a cannon.
In the opening, the standard defense against a central cannon is to protect the attacked center soldier with a horse and keep the pieces around your general coordinated. Moving the elephant in front of the general (to file 5) is another traditional way to put an extra piece in the line.
Common cannon mistakes
Firing too early. Capturing a soldier with the cannon in the first few moves often puts the cannon on a point where horses and chariots can attack it, and you lose time retreating.
Forgetting that your own pieces are screens. Your horse or soldier can become the screen the enemy cannon needs. Before moving a piece onto a line with an enemy cannon, look at what is behind it.
Trading the cannon too lightly in the opening. Exchanging your cannon for a horse early can be fine, but ask whether the position is still crowded — if it is, the cannon was likely worth more.
Overlooking cannon checks from far away. A cannon on the other side of the board can give check the moment a single piece steps into its line. Scan every cannon before every move.
A short cannon checklist
Before each move, for each enemy cannon:
- What lines does it stand on?
- How many pieces are between it and each of my important pieces?
- Does my move change that count to exactly one?
And for your cannons, ask the same questions in reverse — often you can win material simply by moving a piece into, or out of, a line.
Practice
The computer at the lower levels on the home page often allows cannon tactics. Try a game where you only look for cannon ideas: counting screens, setting up doubled cannons, using horses as screens. It trains exactly the kind of vision that the cannon demands. More piece guides are in the pieces section.
Frequently asked questions
Can the cannon jump over its own pieces?
Yes. The screen can belong to either side.
Can the cannon jump when it is just moving, not capturing?
No. Without capturing, it moves like a chariot and needs a clear path.
Is the cannon stronger than the horse?
A common view is that the cannon is slightly stronger early in the game and the horse slightly stronger in the endgame. The position matters more than the rule.
How can I stop a central cannon attack?
Protect the attacked center soldier, usually with a horse, keep your advisors and elephants coordinated, and avoid leaving a single piece between the cannon and your general.
