You are more clever than I supposed! -Tang Xin
In Chinese chess there are seven different pieces, each one has different moves, different places it is allowed to go, different responses, different values. There are five soldiers, two knights, two cannons, two chariots, two bishops, two guards, and one general.
So, my question is: which one am I?
The soldier moves slowly, only forward one place at a time until it crosses the border than it can move right or left also, still slowly, one place at a time. In my classes we move slowly, only forward one day at time, covering one painfully basic topic after another. In my language learning I move slowly, one word at a time, mastering one pitiful phrase after another. I am a soldier.
The knight is more powerful, it can move in eight different directions in an L shape... unless something is blocking it. Then it goes no where. My spare time can be spent in many directions: maybe I will have lunch with a co-teacher, maybe I will have lunch with the grocery store family across the street: today I had lunch with both. But all it takes is a bad cold to keep me from going out at all. I am a knight.
The cannons and chariots are largely the same, moving as far as they wish horizontally or vertically on the board, with one vital exception: the cannons must work together with another piece in order to capture something. There is little I am not capable of doing to function in this city: I can shop, I can find, I can explore, I can catch a bus... but when I need to do something that requires advanced communicative skills I need another piece's help. I am a chariot. I am a cannon.
The bishop is an interesting piece. It can only move diagonally across four squares and then only on its side of the board. At first glance it appears useless and the least valuable among the pieces, but those who are wise know its worth. My life often feels like this, so little impact, so little skill, so little movement, I need to be careful lest I forget my own worth. I am a bishop.
The guard only has five possible places to move and is rarely used unless the general is threatened. It is a focused piece, with only one purpose: guard the general. I too, have a very clear purpose here. I need constantly to remind myself to be patient and protect that which has been entrusted to me. I am a guard.
The general is the piece which the whole game revolves around. The object is to capture the other sides general while leaving yours protected. It also does not move much but tends to remain constant, allowing the other pieces to work for it. Once a general is captured: game over.
One thing is certain, I am not the general. But I know who is.
And, now, I also know how to play Chinese chess.
