Research Report on the History of Computer Chinese Chess (Xiangqi) Game-Playing

A structured history of Chinese chess engine development from the 1980s to 2026, covering major engines, protocols, and community tooling.

Author and Preface

Author: Nanao Xiangqi Network

Author Preface: This article was compiled with AI from online sources. The original intention was to restore the youth and dedication of the generation that poured their hearts and effort into the development of computer Xiangqi technology. This is the first version, so omissions and inaccuracies are inevitable. Corrections and additions are welcome. Contact: admin#sachess.com

Related reading: Chinese Chess AI Analysis · FEN Tool · Position Editor · Review Workflow · Rules · About Us

Other language versions: 简体中文 · 繁體中文 · Tiếng Việt

Table of Contents (click to expand)

Chapter 1 Basic Concepts of Computer Chess
Chapter 2 The Earliest Xiangqi Programs: The 1989 Computer Olympiad and Acer Chinese Chess
Chapter 3 UCCI and UCI Protocols: A Key Step in Xiangqi Engine Standardization
Chapter 4 Qiyin (Chess1): The First Milestone of Xiangqi Engines (1997–2000)
Chapter 5 NEUChess (Qi Tian Da Sheng): The Intersection of Academia and Engineering (2004–2006)
Chapter 6 Xiangqi Cyclone and Intella: The Rivalry of Two Titans (2005–2008)
Chapter 7 Qizhong Forum: The Heart of the Engine Community
Chapter 8 ElephantEye and Huang Chen’s Open Source Contributions (2005–2020)
Chapter 9 Binghe 54 Interface and Engine Management Tools
Chapter 10 Xiangqi Mingshou and Jiajia Xiangqi (2009–2015)
Chapter 11 Nanao Chess: From Xiangqi Shijia to Cross-Generational Legacy
Chapter 12 Pikafish: The NNUE-Era Open Source Revolution (2022–Present)
Chapter 13 Other NNUE-Era Open Source Engines
Chapter 14 Cloud Computing and the Data Revolution
Chapter 15 Integration of AIGC Engines and AI Technology in Xiangqi
Chapter 16 The Pikafish Community: Organization and Operating Model
Chapter 17 The Pikafish Fishtest Framework: Open Testing and Collaborative Optimization
Chapter 18 Generation of Network Training Data: Bottlenecks and Solutions
Chapter 19 Cloud Book Data Systems and Opening/Endgame Databases
Chapter 20 The Rise of Non-Stockfish Architecture Engines
Chapter 21 Evolution of Computer Game Rules: A Technical History of Long Check/Long Chase Detection
Chapter 22 Zobrist Hashing and Transposition Tables Adapted for Xiangqi
Chapter 23 Yitian Qiyuan and the Culture of Online Human-Computer Battles
Chapter 24 OurGame (Lianzhong): The Pioneer and Rise-Fall of China’s Online Xiangqi Platform
Chapter 25 Tian Tian Xiangqi (Daily Xiangqi): The Chess Platform Dominator of the Mobile Internet Era
Chapter 26 XQF Format and Electronic Notation Standardization
Chapter 27 Xiangqi Engines on Linux and macOS
Chapter 28 Performance Measurement and Benchmarking of Xiangqi Engines
Chapter 29 Technical Frontiers of Xiangqi Engines
Chapter 30 The Cultural Legacy of Computer Xiangqi Game-Playing
Appendix A: Comprehensive Engine Development Timeline
Appendix B: Comparison of Major Engine Technical Parameters
Appendix E: Human vs Engine Cross-Era Strength Comparison

Volume I Origins and Foundations

Engine History

Research Report on the History of Computer Chinese Chess (Xiangqi) Game-Playing

Author and Preface

Volume I Origins and Foundations

Contents

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