On: An Introduction to Xiangqi for Chess Players

[meric]

A game of Xiangqi happens at a faster pace than a game of chess so more stuff happens.

I think it's to do with more cannons and less pawns. Pawns in Xiangqi are nerfed. (No diagonal move until pass the river, cannot turn into Queen.)

Read up on the cannon. :)

[Aqua_Geek → meric]

> Pawns in Xiangqi are nerfed. (No diagonal move until pass the river [...]

Pawns can't move diagonally. Once they cross the river, they can move sideways.

[jcsalterego → meric]

It's also a bit more satisfying to capture (or literally, "eat") opponents using the checkers-like pieces, rather than the stand-up pieces in western Chess, IMO.