阿品伯的茶行棋社 A-Pin Uncle’s Tea House & Chess Club 茶行棋社是一個很特別的地方。 The Tea House & Chess Club is a very unique place. 「茶行」是阿品伯每天工作的地方，茶香四溢。 The “Tea House” is where Uncle A-Pin works every day, filled with the fragrance of tea. 「棋社」則是他的象棋天地，是他的放鬆之地。 The “Chess Club” is his world of Chinese chess, a place where he truly relaxes. 村民們常常來拜訪，有人下棋、有人喝茶、有人聊天。 Villagers often visit—some for chess, some for tea, some just to chat. 那象棋是什麼時候發明的呢？ So when was Chinese chess invented? 象棋最早可以追溯到戰國到秦漢時期，是模擬軍事與兵法策略的遊戲。 Chinese chess can be traced back to the Warring States to Qin-Han period, originally based on military strategy simulations. 後來經過多個朝代的演變，才成為今天的象棋。 It evolved through several dynasties into the modern game we know today. 阿品伯常說：「象棋不是對弈，是人生。」 Uncle A-Pin often says: “Chess is not a duel—it’s life.” 難怪每天都有村民來棋社找他喝茶、下棋、聊天。 No wonder villagers come every day to drink tea, play chess, and chat with him.
象棋的可信起源阿品伯說啊，象棋的起源，大家講來講去很多版本，但若要說「比較可信」的，主要有三個方向：
1️⃣ 戰國時代：軍事推演用的
有些學者說，戰國那時候打仗打不停，將軍要排兵佈陣，就會用一種「方格棋盤」當沙盤模擬戰局。
那個年代兵分左右、攻防分明，跟後來象棋的布局很像，所以有人認為象棋就是從「軍事演練」慢慢演變來的。
阿品伯說：「嘿～用棋盤練打仗，聽起來就很象棋味！」
2️⃣ 韓信發明說（半傳說、半可信）
另外，流傳最廣的故事，就是說象棋是漢朝名將韓信發明的。
韓信用兵如神嘛，有人說他為了教士兵佈陣，就把軍隊縮小畫在棋盤上，久了就變成棋。
雖然比較像傳說，但宋代以前的民間記載裡，韓信跟棋常常被一起提到，並不是空穴來風。
阿平伯會說：「雖然不能百分之百當真，但韓信那個頭腦，用來發明象棋也不奇怪啦！」
3️⃣ 宋代文獻記載（最可靠的部分）
到宋代，象棋的樣子就比較確定了。
《宣和博古圖》《事物紀原》等文獻裡，都已經明確記載：
- 有將士、車馬、炮、象、卒
- 棋盤有河界
- 棋規大致跟現在差不多
也就是說，到宋代象棋已經「成熟定型」了。
阿平伯總結：「若問哪個最可信？宋代的文獻是鐵證；韓信是很有趣的民間說法；戰國軍演則是學者最愛的推測。三種加一加，就是象棋的前世今生啦。」
English Version (Uncle Ping’s tone)
1️⃣ Warring States Period: Military Strategy Simulation
Some scholars believe Xiangqi came from the Warring States era.
Generals used square boards to simulate troop movements and battlefield strategies. The idea of two armies facing each other, left and right formations—it all resembles early Chinese Chess.
Uncle Ping says: “Using a board to practice warfare? Sounds just like Xiangqi!”
2️⃣ The Han Xin Legend (Semi-legend, semi-plausible)
Another popular belief is that General Han Xin invented Xiangqi.
The story claims he used the board to teach soldiers formation and tactics. Even though it’s half-legend, Han Xin and chess are mentioned together often in early folk texts.
Uncle Ping laughs: “Can we prove it? Not really. But Han Xin’s brain was sharp enough—he could have invented it!”
3️⃣ Song Dynasty Records (Most reliable evidence)
By the Song Dynasty, the form of Xiangqi became clear and well documented.
Texts such as Xuanhe Bogutu and Shiwu Jiyuan describe:
- The same pieces we use today
- The river boundary
- Rules similar to modern Xiangqi
Meaning: by the Song era, the game was already fully developed.
Uncle Ping sums it up:
“Which origin is most credible? The Song Dynasty records are solid evidence. The Han Xin story is fun folklore. The Warring States theory is scholars’ favorite idea. Put them together—that’s the full story of Xiangqi’s past lives.”
