◇ Just read — no move neededThe chariot rules the lines
The chariot (车) slides any distance along open files and ranks, exactly like a chess rook — but on a board with no queen, it is the undisputed king. It is worth about two cannons or horses, and the old saying 一车十子寒 says the rest: one chariot on the field chills ten enemy pieces. That is why every sound opening races to bring both chariots out early — the dedicated chariot chapter later is built entirely on this one fact.