Piece Values & Strength
📋 What it is
Roughly, a Chariot is worth about two Cannons or two Horses; Advisors and Elephants are defenders worth less.
🗣️ Coach says
Knowing what each piece is WORTH stops you making bad trades. The Chariot is king of value (about two Cannons or Horses). Cannons and Horses are your main attackers. Advisors and Elephants are modest defenders. Never swap a Chariot for a Horse and call it fair.
🧠 Memory hook
Chariot ≈ two Cannons ≈ two Horses. Advisors/Elephants = cheaper defenders.
😂 Giggle
Why did the pieces play on the lines instead of the squares?
Because in Xiangqi, everyone stands on the intersections!
😲 Whoa!
A Cannon is strongest early (when the board is crowded with screens to jump) and a Horse is strongest late (when the board opens up) — their values actually SHIFT during the game.
✅ Quick check: Roughly how does a Chariot's value compare to a Horse's?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
A Chariot is worth about two Horses (or two Cannons) — it's the most valuable piece, so trading it for one Horse is a bad deal.
The Chariot's dominance makes it worth roughly double an attacking piece.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Rank the pieces by value from memory, then check: Chariot > Cannon ≈ Horse > Advisor ≈ Elephant > Soldier.