The Horse
📋 What it is
The Horse moves one point straight then one point diagonally, but is "blocked" if a piece sits beside its leg.
🗣️ Coach says
The Horse is like a chess knight with a twist: it steps one point orthogonally then one point diagonally outward. BUT if a piece sits right next to it on the straight part (blocking its "leg"), it cannot move that way. Blocking the Horse's leg is a key defensive trick.
🧠 Memory hook
One straight, then one diagonal — unless a piece "hobbles the leg".
😂 Giggle
Why did the Soldier get braver after crossing the river?
Because once across, it can move sideways too!
😲 Whoa!
Unlike the Western knight, the Xiangqi Horse cannot jump over a blocker — "hobbling the horse's leg" is a real defensive technique with its own name.
✅ Quick check: How can you stop an enemy Horse from moving in a certain direction?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Place a piece directly beside it on the orthogonal "leg" of that move — a blocked leg means the Horse can't go that way.
The Horse cannot jump a blocker on its leg, unlike a chess knight.
🪄 Trick question: Can the Xiangqi Horse jump over a piece blocking its leg, like a chess knight?
Careful — think it through, then reveal.
No — a blocked leg stops the Horse entirely in that direction; it cannot leap the blocker.
The Horse's leg-block rule is the key difference from the chess knight.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Move a Horse (one straight + one diagonal), then place a blocker on its leg and confirm that path is closed.