Chess

You already know how chess works? Then xiangqi (Chinese chess) is a much shorter hop than it looks — same turns, same checkmate idea, seven piece types. Here is the mapping, and the three rules that surprise chess players the most.

1. The king never leaves the palace and the two kings may not face each other on an open file — the "flying general" rule means a file can be a weapon.

2. Stalemate is a LOSS, not a draw. When your opponent has no legal move and is not in check, you win.

3. The cannon (炮) captures like no chess piece: it must jump exactly one piece to take. And stalemate aside, the board has a river that pawns cross but elephants never do.