Janggi, also known as Korean Chess, is a traditional board game similar to Western chess but with some unique rules. In this collection, Marble & Co is launching a series of games in Elegance Creation.
Marblemind Janggi was inspired by Korean dramas which often show scenes of playing Janggi. The boards embrace go into detail motifs, and the pieces are crafted of natural marble. Immerse yourself in a mind-stimulating game while admiring the exquisiteness of marble.
The Set Up
Board: The board has a grid of 9 vertical lines and 10 horizontal lines. The central area is divided into two halves by a river (the central horizontal row), which doesn't affect movement.
The board is oriented so each player's palace (a 3x3 grid marked with diagonal lines) is at the center of their side.
Pieces are placed on the intersections of the lines (points), not in the squares.
Piece Movement
1. General (왕, 王):
- Moves one step orthogonally or diagonally within the palace.
2. Guard (사, 士):
- Moves one step orthogonally or diagonally within the palace.
3. Elephant (상, 象):
- Moves exactly two steps orthogonally followed by one step diagonally. Cannot jump over pieces.
4. Horse (마, 馬):
- Moves one step orthogonally followed by one step diagonally outward. Movement is blocked if there's a piece one step orthogonally.
5. Chariot (차, 車):
- Moves any number of steps orthogonally, similar to the rook in chess.
6. Cannon (포, 砲):
- Moves any number of steps orthogonally, but to capture, it must jump over exactly one piece (friendly or enemy).
7. Soldier (졸, 卒):
- Moves one step forward orthogonally. After crossing the river, it can also move sideways one step.
Special Rules
- Check and Checkmate:
- A player's General is in check if it can be captured on the opponent's next move. The player must make a move to remove the check. If no such move exists, it is checkmate.
- Draws:
- A game can end in a draw by mutual agreement, stalemate, perpetual check, or if both players cannot force a checkmate.
- The General's Face-off Rule (장군):
- Generals cannot face each other directly along the same file without any intervening pieces.
- Repetition:
- Repeating the same board position three times is forbidden. The player who causes the repetition must find another move.
- Pawn Promotion:
- Unlike in chess, Soldiers (Pawns) do not promote upon reaching the far side of the board.