Publisher's Excerpts from the book:Chinese Chess or Xiangqi Book of Board Game StrategyThe ancient Chinese board game of Xiangqi, or Chinese Chess, has been played for over 1,000 years.  However, few books have been published in the English language on the strategy of Chinese Chess.  Now, this new book demonstrates optimal strategies, verified by modern computer analysis.  The book is heavily illustrated with pictographic chess board diagrams, similar to diagrams in international chess books.  These picture pieces are easier to visualize than classical Xiangqi Chinese character piece labels. Excessive use of algebraic notation is avoided, making it easier to follow game annotations, and to evaluate positions.  This book is an easier way for English speakers to learn this complex, baffling and counter-intuitive board game, that has a tactical language quite different from that of international chess.  Various topics are covered:● Xiangqi Rules● Opening Game Theory● Middle Game and End Game Tactics● Beginning, Intermediate and Expert Strategies● Fully Annotated Games with Play-by-play analysis● Dozens of Checkmate Endgame Problems● Hundreds of Illustrations - An Actual Board is Not   Needed to Follow Annotated games!