Xiangqi or Chinese Chess

象棋

Same to Weiqi, Xiangqi is also an intelligence game. While, compared with Weiqi, due to its simpler playing rules, Xiangqi is inferior to Weiqi in changing and taste,

象棋与围棋一样，均属一种智力游戏。不过，象棋与围棋相比，因为下法相对简单，故在变化和趣味性方面均要逊色一些。

but it is much more prevalent among the people than Weiqi because of its simpler rules, less time when it is done, and the more directly perceived and vivid chess board.

但是，象棋因为规则简单，每局棋所用时间较少，而且象棋的棋盘，棋子与围棋相比要直观，形象得多，故在民间的普及程度要远远超过围棋。

As far as the source of Xiangqi and the origin of it are concerned, there are always different kinds of opinions.

关于象棋的起源及象棋名称的来历，说法不一。

It’s confirmed by the archeological exploration materials that, in the late years of the Northern Song dynasty, the rules of Xiangqi were nearly same to the modern ones.

据考古发掘资料证实，到北宋末年，象棋的规制与现代象棋就几乎一致了。

For instance, in 1974, in Quonzhou Gulf, Fujian province, there unearthed a seaship of the Song dynasty, and 20 pieces of Xiangqi in the cabin were discovered, whose names were definitely same to the modern ones.

如1974年，在福建泉州湾发掘出了一艘宋代的海船，在船舱中发现了20枚象棋棋子，名称与现代象棋完全相同。

Besides, iwo bronze sets of Xiangqi in the Song dynasty were unearthed in Jiangyou county, Sichuan province.

另外，在四川省江油县也出土了两副宋代的铜制象棋，

Chessmen such as chariots, horses, gunners, king, assistants, elephants, and pawns exist completely, which are almost same to the modern chess.

棋子中车、马、炮、将、士、象、卒俱全，与现代象棋几乎一样。

In Chinese history, Xiangqi began to prevail since the Song dynasty with the gradual maturity and finalizing of the rules.

在中国历史上，象棋活动自宋代起开始盛行，这与当时象棋规则趋于成熟与定型有十分密切的关系。

Especially in the Southern Song dynasty, almost everyone, from the emperor to the common people, was fond of playing Xiangqi.

尤其是在南宋时期，上自皇帝，下至普通百姓，几乎人人都爱好下象棋。

Xiangqi was also prevalent in Ming and Qing dynasties. After 1949, Xiangqi began to standardize.

明清时期的象棋活动也很盛行。1949年以后，象棋活动开始朝规范化发展。

In 1956, the First National Xiangqi Race was held in Peking. In 1996 the First World Xiangqi Tournament was held in Singapore.

1956年，第一届全国象棋比赛在北京举行。19%年，在新加坡举行了第1届世界象棋锦标赛。

Presently, tens of countries and regions in the world have founded the Chinese Chess organizations.

目前，世界上已有数十个国家和地区成立了中国象棋组织。

Xiangqi, a kind of Chinese traditional game,continues playing its important role in developing intelligence,moulding temperament and enriching life in a new historical period.

象棋这门古老的游艺活动，正在新的历史时期，继续发挥它开发智力、陶冶情操、丰富生活的重要作用。