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Attacking
Among soldiers, it is the pieces of higher rank that capture the pieces of lower
Luzhanqi
rank (as if they went out onto the battlefield and “out-ranked” each other).
When a soldier attacks by moving onto a space occupied by an opposing piece,
the piece of lower rank is removed, and the one of higher rank remains. (Note
“1” is the highest rank; “9” is the lowest.) You may need to keep the diagram on
the previous page on hand as you play, until the ranks become familiar to you.
If a piece attacks another of equal rank, both pieces are removed.
If a Grenade attacks or is attacked by any piece, both pieces are removed.
If any piece other than an Engineer attacks a Landmine, both pieces are re-
moved, but if an Engineer attacks a Landmine, the Landmine is removed and
the Engineer remains.
All pieces are safe and may not be attacked while on a Camp space.

Winning
When a piece attacks the opponent’s Flag, he has won the game.

The Referee
It is preferred that this game be played with a referee. Whenever a piece is at-
tacked, the referee determines which piece (or pieces) are to be removed. The
players never see the opposing pieces and are never told their identities, even
when attacks are made and pieces are removed. This mystery is the fun and
intrigue of the game.
If no referee is available, the game proceeds in the same way, but ever time
there is an attack the players must temporarily show the identity of the two
pieces, to determine the outcome of the attack. A little less mystery.

Variations
Regional variations in these rules are not uncommon. In the northern areas of
China, for instance, the Landmine is not removed when attacked by another
piece — except by the Engineer who defeats it entirely. If you meet someone
who knows this game from China, show some courtesy and cultural interest by
asking how he plays it at home.

Further Adventures in Luzhanqi

This pamphlet was compiled with the greatly appreciated assistance of Shuping also known as
Zhang (szhang@brandeis.edu), a long-time native player of this game and inno-
Lu Zhan Jun Qi, Jun Qi,
vator in the design of playing pieces. Luzhanqi has recently become popular on
the internet, where the software removes the need for a human referee. Land Battle Chess or (Chinese) Army Chess
For more information about chess related games
throughout the world, visit www.AncientChess.com For information about Chess Variants throughout the world
© 2007 Rick Knowlton
and free copies of this booklet, visit www.AncientChess.com
 Field Marshall
Luzhanqi Setting Up Rank: 1 “siling” (1)
Pronounced “loo-tsahn-chee,” written Luzhanqi or Lu Zhan Qi, meaning “Land To begin the game, each player places
Battle Game,” this chess variant is popular throughout China. It is also known his 25 pieces on the Soldier Stations General
as Lu Zhan Jun Qi (Land Battle Army Game), or simply Jun Qi (Army Game), It and Headquarters spaces on his side
Rank: 2 “junzhang” (1)
appears to be derived from the very popular chess form Xiangqi, perhaps influ- of the board. Pieces do not begin on
enced by Dou Shou Qi, and bears similarities to several Western war games. the Camp circles. They are placed so
Lieutenant General
that each player can see the identities
The Board of his own pieces, but not those of his Rank: 3 “shizhang” (2)
opponent’s.
The playing “board” is usually simple folded paper, marked as shown on the Brigadier
cover of this pamphlet. Here are the meanings of the Chinese marking: Arranging the pieces is the first
strategic consideration of the game. Rank: 4 “luzhang” (2)
Soldier Station. An ordinary playing space. Pieces are moved on and
off these spots and can be attacked while standing on them. The Flag must be placed on one of the
Colonel
two Headquarters squares.
Camp. A safety circle. A piece on this spot can not be attacked. Rank: 5 “tuanzhang” (2)
The Landmines must be placed some-
Headquarters. There are two of these on each where in the two rows closest to the
Major
side. One of the two holds the flag. player (i.e., the Headquarters row, or
the one next to that). Rank: 6 “yinzhang” (2)
Front Line. These markings stand between the two sides of the The Grenades may not be placed on
Captain
board. Pieces do not land on these squares; they pass over them. the front row (but you probably
wouldn’t want them there anyway). Rank: 7 “lianzhang” (3)
Mountain Border. Two Obstacles that stand in the
dividing line of the board. Pieces do not move onto or Platoon Commander
over these spaces; they are forced to pass over the Front Playing the Game
Rank: 8 “paizhang” (3)
Line. Either player begins by making a
Lines. Pieces move from one playing space to the very next one, fol- move, and then the two opponents Engineer
lowing these lines. take turns, as in most strategy board
games. Rank: 9 “gongbin” (3)
Railroad. Any moving piece is allowed to go any number of playing
Soldiers (all ranks, 1 through 9) and The Engineer is the only piece which can destroy a
spaces as long as it stays on one straight railroad line. Landmine, without being destroyed himself. He also
The Engineer has the special ability to travel around Railroad corners as well. Grenades move along a single Line, has the power to move continually on Railroad
only as far as the very next playing tracks, even as he goes around corners.
The Pieces space (to any Soldier Station, Camp or
Grenade
Headquarters). But on the Railroad,
The pieces shown at the right are from two different sets: The black calligraphy these pieces move as many spaces as “zhadan” (2)
is from a modern plastic set and the red images are from an older wooden one. they want, staying in one straight line,
The Grenade can destroy any piece, but is always de-
Note three differences: The older set has pictures, has vertically arranged callig- and not passing over any other pieces. stroyed itself in the process
raphy, and uses old style Chinese characters. Your set may have characteristics
The Engineer has the special power of
of either of these sets — but it’s the same game. Landmine
continuing around corners on the
Each piece is shown here with: Railroad. As long as his path is unob- “dilei” (3)
its English equivalent (e.g., Field Marshal), structed, his move may cover any The Landmine can not move. It destroys any piece
its rank (e.g., Rank: 1), number of Railroad linked spaces, that attacks it (except the Engineer), and is destroyed
its Chinese pronunciation (e.g., “siling”), turning as many corners as he likes. itself in the process.
and the quantity in each player’s army (e.g., (1) )
Note that the Landmines and Flag do
The first nine pieces are soldiers of various ranks, shown from highest to lowest; not move. They remain in place until Flag
the remaining three are objects, each with its own special characteristics. attacked by an enemy piece.
The Flag does not move. When it is attacked, the
attacker wins the game!