---
title: "Xiangqi Openings — Systems, Ideas and Theory · Xiangqi Master"
description: "The main xiangqi opening systems explained: the Central Cannon, Screen Horses, and the ideas behind them. Interactive boards showing each line move by move."
url: https://xiangqimaster.com/openings
source: Xiangqi Master (https://xiangqimaster.com)
license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
---

# Xiangqi openings

Xiangqi opening theory is forcing and concrete. Because the cannon is at its strongest while the board is full, attacks begin immediately — the most popular first move in the game aims a cannon at the enemy general before anything has been developed. These pages cover the main systems and, more importantly, why they exist.

## The main systems

Central Cannon (中炮)

The most popular opening in xiangqi, and the sharpest

Screen Horses (屏風馬)

The principal defence: two horses guarding the centre

## Opening principles

Xiangqi opening principles

What to do when you do not know the theory

Why the cannon opens the game

The piece that makes xiangqi openings what they are

#### Being written

Elephant Opening, Horse Opening, Pawn Opening, Same- and Opposite-Direction Cannons, plus a full opening explorer with game statistics, are in progress.

## Related questions

What is the best opening in xiangqi?

The Central Cannon (中炮) is the most popular and the most testing, which is not quite the same as best. At club level the strongest choice is the system whose ideas you understand — a well-understood Screen Horses defence beats a memorised Central Cannon attack.

What is the most common first move in xiangqi?

Moving a cannon to the central file — the Central Cannon. It attacks the enemy central soldier immediately and points the cannon down the file the general stands on.

How much opening theory do I need?

Very little to begin with. Understanding the first five or six moves of the Central Cannon and Screen Horses covers a large share of games. Deep preparation matters only once tactics and endgames are reliable.

## Learn it on the board

Everything here is easier once you have played a game. Start one now — free, and no download.