Xiangqi is a Chinese game in a family of strategic board games of
which Western chess and Japanese shogi are also members. The Chinese
name is literally translatable as either "elephant chess" but is
commonly called Chinese chess in the West. The ancestry of Xiangqi is
disputed with some historians contending that it originated from Liubo
and others stating that it is a relative of the 6th century Indian
game of chaturanga. It is one of the most popular board games of the
chaturanga family in the world, especially in Asia. Distinctive
features of xiangqi include the unique movement of the pao ("cannon")
piece, a rule prohibiting the generals (similar to chess kings) from
facing each other directly, and the river and palace board features,
which restrict the movement of some pieces.
Read the rest of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiangqi
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1174:
William the Lion, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, was captured
at Alnwick by forces loyal to Henry II of England.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolt_of_1173-1174)
1772:
HMS Resolution set sail from Plymouth, England, under the command of
Captain James Cook.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Resolution_%28Cook%29)
1793:
Jean-Paul Marat, a leader in the French Revolution, was murdered in
his bathtub by Charlotte Corday.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Paul_Marat)
1878:
The major powers redrew the map of the Balkans in the Treaty of
Berlin.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Berlin%2C_1878)
1985:
Live Aid benefit concerts, organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to
raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, was held in London and
Philadelphia.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_Aid)
_____________________
Wikiquote of the day:
"I know that you personally do not fear giving up your own life in
order to take others— that is why you are so dangerous. But I know
you fear that you may fail in your long-term objective to destroy our
free society and I can show you why you will fail." -- Ken
Livingstone, Mayor of London
(
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ken_Livingstone)