Download Pikafish

This page covers Xiangqi only, not Jieqi or other games.

If you are an experienced user who knows how to load an engine, you can download the plain engine files directly from the official site pikafish.com.

Below are the recommended options for beginners on each system. If they don't work for you or seem like too much trouble, try the web version, which works almost everywhere. (The web version is at the bottom.)

If you have any questions, you can join the Pikafish QQ group 1062385162 (please describe the problem in detail and provide information such as game record screenshots).

Recommended options by system

• Windows PC (Windows 7 and 32-bit systems are not supported): complete beginners are advised to download the "Beginner Download" from the official site pikafish.com. (You can also use the web version; see the bottom of this page.) You can also join the Pikafish QQ group and download the "Newbie Gift Pack" (萌新大礼包).
• Android phone: download the "Beginner Download" from the official site pikafish.com, or join QQ group 1062385162 to download the Rongyu Xiangqi (绒语象棋) app. (You can also use the web version; see the bottom of this page.)
• iOS (Apple): you can download "Xiangqi Gongshe" (象棋公社, Xiangqi Community) from the App Store; if you can't figure it out, join its QQ group 813387693. (You can also use the web version; see the bottom of this page.)
• macOS and Linux: download the "Beginner Download" from the official site pikafish.com. (You can also use the web version.)
• HarmonyOS phone: download the "Beginner Download" from the official site pikafish.com. On HarmonyOS 5 and above you also need to download Zhuoyitong (卓易通) from the app market.

Web version

The web version is the most convenient, but its playing strength is lower: xiangqiai.com. It works on most phone systems and computers, so if you don't want the hassle or your system can't run Pikafish, give the web version a try. (On iOS, use at least iOS 16 and the built-in Safari browser. On other systems, Firefox or Edge is recommended.)

Note

Because the engine has to be downloaded on first load, and using the official full-size Pikafish would make data costs too high, the web version uses a small-size Pikafish whose playing strength is roughly that of the official release from September 2024.

For help using the web version → Pikafish web version guide