The origin of Xiangqi and the origin of Chinese chess

The term chess first appeared during the Warring States period. In "Chu Ci and Summoning Spirits", there is a special record of its form and method of playing: "There are six books of chess; Divide the camp and march together, and the road is more pressing; Become a lord and make a profit, call five white.

This means that jade (i.e., castin) is made of the equivalent of dice. (i.e., shielded) size chess, with a total of 6 pieces on each side; The method of the game is to divide and go hand in hand. (refers to the league where two players or two groups must be played), attacking each other and forcing each other to a dead end; In the end, the winner "Mou" (referring to multiplication) takes the victory.

Defeated the enemy soldiers (in the Spring and Autumn period, with 5 people) and gave a shout of victory.

There are various theories about the origin of chess, and some say that it originated during the period of conflict between Chu and Han. In the middle of the chessboard is written "Chu River Han Boundary", so many people find this statement more credible. It is also said that it was invented by Han Shin.

Qing Liang wrote the same book "Preface to the Chess Score of the Deep Sea and the Deep Sea": "I heard that chess began with Han Xin, and Zhu Ziyun Bo was also popular. "Modern Zhou Jiasen's "Chess Source Examination":

When Han Xin attacked Zhao, he played chess and leaf play like a soldier, because of the homesickness of the soldier at the end of the year, as soon as he got the game, he got together to play, lost all the money, and forgot to return. ”

The origin of Chinese chess is as follows:

Chinese chess is a type of chess that originated in China, which is a kind of two-person confrontational game and has a long history in China. Because of the simplicity and fun of the utensils, it has become a very popular chess activity.

Chinese chess is a Chinese chess culture and a cultural treasure of the Chinese nation, which has a long history, strong interest, and the basic rules are concise and easy to understand. Chinese chess in China has a mass base far greater than that of Go, and is the most popular chess sport, and Chinese chess has spread to more than a dozen countries and regions.

Chinese chess uses a square lattice board with 32 round pieces and 16 pieces each in red and black, which are placed and moved at intersections. The two sides alternate chess, and the opponent's general (handsome) "checkmate" first wins.

Generate background. In China during the Spring and Autumn Period, the Warring States Period, and even the Qin and Han dynasties, the country was in turmoil, and the flames and wolves were everywhere, and chess came into being in this context. There are many obvious similarities between military warfare and sports competitions.

For example, the ultimate goal is to win, and the confrontation process is expressed through techniques and tactics.

There are both strategic themes and tactical means. As an intellectual game that simulates ancient wars, chess is played on a chessboard close by.

The chariots, horses, cannons, and soldiers on the chessboard are the symbols of the ancient chariots, horses, cannons (or catapults), and soldiers. Compared with other sports, chess has the most direct internal relationship with ancient military affairs, and its strategic thinking and tactical characteristics have been influenced by ancient military thought.

With the changes of the times, while chess is becoming more and more perfect, it also does not deviate from the purpose of military warfare and the art of war.

In the ancient scores of the rows, such as "The Abyss and the Sea", "The Plum Blossom Spectrum", "The Secret of the Orange", "The Appropriate Taste", etc., many of the rows are named after the Art of War, the Thirty-six Strategies, the Three Kingdoms Interpretation Allusions and the names of wars, etc., which are not only exquisitely conceived, but also very consistent with the names of the historical allusions named.

Chinese chess originated in China, and there are various theories about the origin of chess:

1. The Yellow Emperor originated in the legendary era. The Northern Song Dynasty Huang Buzhi's "Guangxiang Opera Preface" said: "The elephant opera and the war of the Yellow Emperor drove the beasts to the battle, and the elephants and beasts were also males." Therefore, the opera soldiers are named after the elephant drama. ”；

2. Originated from the Shennong clan in the legendary era. The monks of the Yuan Dynasty said in the "Buddha's Chronicles": "Shennong takes the sun, moon and stars as the image, and the Tang Xiangguo cattle monks and children use cars, horses, soldiers to eliminate them, and pawns and cannons to replace them as opportunities." ”；

3. Originated in the Spring and Autumn Period. The "elephant" in chess means "symbol of defeat" and has nothing to do with animal elephants. Xiangqi may have been created in imitation of the Spring and Autumn military system.

The names of each chess piece coincide with the military system of the Spring and Autumn Period, such as i.e., commander, rook, horse, soldier, soldier, pawn, etc. However, chess may also be named because the pieces are made of ivory;

4. Originated in the Warring States period. According to the book of "Hidden Residence", Yongmen Zhou is called Meng Weijun, and he uses the elephant of war as a chess position. ”；

5. Originated from the period of Chu and Han rivalry. In the middle of the chessboard is written "Chu River Han Boundary", so many people find this statement more credible.

The origin of Xiangqi is not detailed enough in historical records, so it is difficult for the academic community to form a unified opinion. There are six ways to say this:

1. Originated from the Shennong clan in the legendary era.

The monk Nian Chang of the Yuan Dynasty said in the "Buddha's Chronicles": "Shennong takes the sun, moon and stars as the image, and the Tang Xiangguo cattle monks and children use cars, horses, soldiers, pawns and cannons to replace them as opportunities."

2. The Yellow Emperor originated in the legendary era.

Huang Buzhi of the Northern Song Dynasty said: "The Elephant Opera Preface" said: "The elephant drama is also a military play, the battle of the Yellow Emperor, driving the beast to be a formation, and the elephant is the male of the beast." Therefore, the opera soldiers are named after the elephant drama. ”

3. It originated when King Wu of Zhou was fighting.

The Ming Dynasty made a single production of "Five Miscellaneous Tan" clouds: "Elephant opera, according to legend, was made by Zhou Wu when he was fighting, even if it was not, it was also the flow of soldiers in the Warring States Period, and it was also a heavy vehicle battle at that time. ”

4. Originated in the Warring States period.

The book of Qianqingju contains: "Yongmen Zhou said Meng Weijun: 'If you live in Yanju, you will fight chess, and it will also be a matter of the Warring States. 'Cover the war with soldiers, so people use the elephant of war as a chess position. ”

5. Originated in the time of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty.

Taiping Yulan. The Ministry of Crafts Chess said: "Emperor Wu of Zhou made chess. Mingren Luo Xin's "The Original of Things" also holds this view.

6. India is an elephant-producing country.

William the British. At the beginning of this century, Jones said that China is not an elephant-producing country, but India is an elephant-producing country, and believed that Chinese chess was introduced from India, and modern scholar Hu Shi also held this view.

Chess

Xiangqi is a traditional Chinese chess puzzle game, which is one of the world's top three chess games along with chess and Go, and is one of the 78 sports officially launched in China, as well as one of the official competitions of the first World Mind Games. Chess is a kind of two-person confrontational game, and because of its strong interest, it has become a very popular chess activity.

It was approved to be included in the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage list. In November 2019, the General Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism organized the inspection and adjustment of the protection units of representative items of national intangible cultural heritage, and the Xiangqi protection unit is the Beijing Chess Academy (Beijing Bridge Academy, Beijing Chess and Card Sports Management Center).