chinese chess

a friend of mine brought me back a proper chinese chess board from china. does any body know how to play the game? i'm totally stuck.....i heard tha there are even pieces that count as balista type weapons?

http://tinyurl.com/7kv54

This website claims that Chinese chess is played by more people than "International" chess: http://www.xmission.com/~gastown/afi/ch_index.htm

Somehow, I'm a bit dubious.

Originally posted by vmc303
This website claims that Chinese chess is played by more people than "International" chess: http://www.xmission.com/~gastown/afi/ch_index.htm

Somehow, I'm a bit dubious.

Not sure really, but the population of China is 1.3 billion with Chinese people also in other parts of the world. They are by far more Chinese than any other race. It is still possible that chinese chess is played by more people in the world than "international" chess.

Originally posted by lausey
Not sure really, but the population of China is 1.3 billion with Chinese people also in other parts of the world. They are by far more Chinese than any other race. It is still possible that chinese chess is played by more people in the world than "international" chess.

I suppose it's possible. If true though, that would likely make it the most popular game in the world, and it's odd that it's not more visible worldwide than it is. Heck, even Chinese checkers is more well-known to the average Westerner.

Originally posted by vmc303
I suppose it's possible. If true though, that would likely make it the most popular game in the world, and it's odd that it's not more visible worldwide than it is. Heck, even Chinese checkers is more well-known to the average Westerner.

international chess is a hybrid of chinese chess. so in truth, you have heard of the game, just not in the same format.

Originally posted by lausey
Not sure really, but the population of China is 1.3 billion with Chinese people also in other parts of the world. They are by far more Chinese than any other race. It is still possible that chinese chess is played by more people in the world than "international" chess.

Did the population go down? I recall our teachers saying 2 billion 10 or so years ago.