Chinese Chess and Japanese Chess


There are many different types of chess which are played in other parts of the world. The most well-known and popular of these, apart from standard Chess, are Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) and Shogi (Japanese Chess).

Both games are a bit like chess, but they are played with different pieces on a slightly larger board. In Chinese Chess, there is a piece called the cannon which can jump over another piece and capture one beyond it. In Japanese Chess, captured pieces can later be dropped back on to the board almost wherever you like.

Both these games have been played for hundreds of years in Asia – they may be even older than regular Chess. All three games are thought to have developed from one original game, called Chaturanga, which was invented in India.


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