Makruk, also known as Thai chess, is a traditional strategy game with similarities to international chess but distinct rules and unique pieces. Played on a standard 8x8 board, it features familiar pieces like the king, queen, and pawns, but each moves in its own special way. The goal remains to achieve checkmate against your opponent's king. Makruk places a strong emphasis on deep tactical skill and long-term strategic planning, cementing its popularity as a beloved pastime in Thailand.

Key Features of Makruk:

Play Against AI: Test your skills against computer opponents with difficulty levels ranging from Easy to Expert.

Daily Challenge: Take on a fresh, unique puzzle every day to sharpen your abilities.

Global Leaderboard: Compete with players from around the world and see how you rank.

Share Your Games: Easily share your most impressive matches and moves with friends.

Undo & Save/Load: Take back a move if you slip up, and save your game to continue another time.

Timer-Based Gameplay: Add a thrilling layer of pressure with timed matches.

Makruk (Thai: หมากรุก; rtgs: Mak Ruk;), or Thai chess, is a board game that evolved from the 6th-century Indian game chaturanga or a closely related variant. It is therefore a direct relative of modern chess. Makruk is considered the closest living game to the common ancestor of all chess variations.

It is estimated that about two million people in Thailand know how to play Makruk, compared to roughly 5,000 who play international chess.

According to former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik, Makruk is even more strategic than international chess. It demands meticulous operational planning, as the game can be compared to an extended endgame scenario in international chess.

Rules

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The Pawn

(called เบี้ย *bia*, a cowry shell once used as currency) moves and captures like a standard chess pawn. However, it cannot advance two squares on its first move, so the *en passant* capture rule does not apply. When a pawn reaches the sixth rank, it is automatically promoted to a queen (*met*).

The Queen

(called เม็ด *met*) is the weakest piece. It moves one square in any diagonal direction, similar to the *fers* in Shatranj or a cat sword in Dai Shogi.

The Bishop

(called โคน *khon*, meaning nobleman or mask) moves one square in any diagonal direction or one square straight forward, akin to the Silver General in Shogi.

The Knight

(called ม้า *ma*, horse) moves exactly like a Western chess knight: two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicularly. It can jump over any intervening pieces.

The Rook

(called เรือ *ruea*, boat) moves like a Western chess rook: any number of squares horizontally or vertically.

The King (Khun)

moves one square in any direction, like the king in international chess. Historically, the king was permitted a special knight's move on its first turn (a rule no longer used in modern Thailand). The game concludes when the king is placed in checkmate.

What's New

Bug fixes and performance improvements.