Manchu chess[2] (Chinese: 满洲棋; pinyin: Mǎnzhōuqí[3]), also known as Yitong[4] or Yitong chess (Chinese: 一统棋; pinyin: Yìtǒngqí[5]), is a variant of xiangqi.
It was created during the Qing dynasty by the Bannermen and was one of the most popular board games among them.
[6] Black's pieces are set up and move the same as in xiangqi, but horses, cannons, and one of the chariots are absent for Red.
[2][3] Although Black appears to have the advantage, the lethality of the red chariot can easily lead to a losing endgame if Black does not play cautiously.
[3] The red chariot is believed to be the representation of Solon soldiers who were brave and battle-hardened during the Manchu conquest of China.