Animal Chess vs AI
Play Animal Chess (Jungle, or Dou Shou Qi) free in your browser. No download and no sign-up: line up eight ranked animals, leap the rivers with your lion and tiger, lure foes onto your traps, and be first to reach the enemy den. Take on four AI levels, a friend on one screen, or an online room you share by link.
Animal Chess — known in China as Dou Shou Qi (斗兽棋) and in the West as Jungle — is a classic two-player board game played on a 7×9 grid. Each side commands eight animals ranked from the mighty Elephant down to the tiny Rat. A higher-ranked animal captures a lower or equal one, with one delicious twist: the Rat can topple the Elephant. Rivers split the board, traps guard each den, and victory goes to the first player to march any piece into the opponent's den. It is simple to pick up but full of clever tactics around water, traps and that famous rat-versus-elephant rule.
Why Play Animal Chess Here
Everything runs right in your browser. There's no app to install and no account to create — open the page, the animals are set up, and you close the tab when you're done. It plays the same on a phone, tablet, or desktop, and your session record is stored locally.
Play solo against the computer at four strengths, pass-and-play with a friend on one screen, or open an online room and invite someone with a single link. Tap a piece to see its legal moves, the last move is highlighted, and undo, a Master-level hint, and full replay are there whenever you want them.
The Rules in One Minute
Pieces move one square up, down, left or right. You capture an enemy piece of equal or lower rank — Elephant 8, Lion 7, Tiger 6, Leopard 5, Wolf 4, Dog 3, Cat 2, Rat 1 — with the special rule that the Rat captures the Elephant, while the Elephant can never capture the Rat.
Only the Rat may enter the river. A Rat in the water cannot capture, or be captured by, a piece on land. The Lion and Tiger can jump straight over a river — horizontally or vertically — landing on the far bank, unless a Rat sits in the water in between to block the leap. Win by moving any piece into the opponent's den; you can never enter your own den.
Rivers, Traps and the Den
The two rivers in the centre shape every plan. Your Rat can hide in the water where land animals can't touch it, and it's the only piece that can stop an enemy Lion or Tiger from jumping across. Controlling the water with your Rat is often the key to the whole game.
Each den is ringed by three trap squares. An enemy piece standing on one of your traps drops to rank 0, so any of your pieces — even the Cat or Rat — can capture it. That makes the squares around your den a deadly defensive ring, and tempting bait for luring a powerful attacker to its doom.
Strategy for Beginners
Develop your strong pieces early but don't overcommit; a lone Elephant deep in enemy territory can be trapped or harassed by a clever Rat. Use your Rat actively — both to threaten the Elephant and to guard the rivers against enemy jumps.
Think about traps on both sides: keep your own trap ring defended, and try to manoeuvre enemy pieces onto your traps where they lose all rank. Above all, watch the path to each den — many games are won by a quiet piece slipping through while the opponent is distracted.
Tips to Improve Faster
- Remember the cycle: the Rat beats the Elephant, but the Elephant can't take the Rat.
- Keep your Rat near the rivers to block enemy Lion and Tiger jumps.
- Lure strong enemy pieces onto your trap squares, where they drop to rank 0.
- Don't push your Elephant too far alone — it's vulnerable to the Rat.
- Always keep one eye on the open path to your own den.
- A Rat hiding in the water is safe from every land animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you win Animal Chess?
Move any one of your pieces into the opponent's den, or leave your opponent with no legal moves. The first player to enter the enemy den wins immediately.
Why can the Rat beat the Elephant?
It's the signature rule of the game: the Rat can capture the Elephant, but the Elephant can never capture the Rat. A Rat in the water, however, cannot capture the Elephant on land.
How do the rivers work?
Only the Rat may swim in the river. A Rat in the water can't capture or be captured by land pieces, and the Lion and Tiger may jump over a river unless a Rat is in the water blocking the leap.
What do the traps do?
Each den has three trap squares. An enemy piece on one of your traps becomes rank 0, so any of your pieces standing next to it can capture it.
Can I play Animal Chess against the computer?
Yes. Choose Solo vs AI and pick easy, medium, hard or Master. The AI values captures, river control and the race to your den.
