Hsiang chi (chee). This is how to pronounce it, the pinyin xiangqi does not give any clue. See Wikipedia for expansion...
The Japanese variant of chess is called Shogi and is played on a different board with a different set of rules.
There is an anime which has a similar basis of chess. It's called Hikaru no Go, and honestly it's very well done for it being about Go(which is like Japanese Chess). It's drawn up by the same people who do Death Note. There is a Chinese chess anime which i believe is called Chess Master. Check them out and see how you like it
To say "chess" in Chinese is as follows: 棋
Chinese vampires are called "Jiangshi," while Japanese vampires are known as "Kyuketsuki." Both creatures have their own unique characteristics and lore in traditional Chinese and Japanese folklore.
Chinese Chess Association was created in 1986.
Japanese Chess Championship was created in 1969.
The Chinese game tiaoqi literally translates as "jumping chess"(From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki?title=Talk:Xiangqi)
Chess is not common in Japan, but a chess variant known as Shogi is.
Chinese chess has different rules and characters and the board is different. It has triangles and squares and different pieces compared to International Chess.
there is 8 peaces like chess or chess tortaments
The lucky Chinese cat is called Maneki Neko in Japanese.
The Second Sino-Japanese War