Makruk

Makruk Online

Makruk, also known as Thai chess, is a fascinating board game that traces its roots back to the 6th-century Indian game of Chaturanga or a closely related variant. As such, it shares many similarities with modern chess but maintains its unique characteristics and strategies. The game is deeply ingrained in Thai culture, with approximately two million Thais capable of playing Makruk, while only about 5,000 can play international chess.

Strategic Depth

Former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik has noted that Makruk Thai is even more strategic than international chess. Players must carefully plan their moves due to the intricate nature of the game, which can be likened to an advanced endgame scenario in international chess. This strategic depth makes Makruk a compelling choice for those seeking a deeper challenge in the world of board games.

Game Pieces and Rules

The game pieces in Makruk include:

• Pawn (เบี้ย - bia): Moves and captures similarly to a pawn in international chess but cannot move two spaces on its first move and cannot be captured en passant. Upon reaching the sixth rank, a pawn is always promoted to a queen (เมด - med).

• Queen (เม็ด - met): The weakest piece, moving one step diagonally, akin to the fers in Shatranj or a cat sword in Dai Shogi.

• Bishop (โคน - khon): Moves one step diagonally or one step forward, similar to the silver general in Shogi.

• Knight (ม้า - ma): Moves like a knight in Western chess, jumping over any intervening pieces.

• Rook (เรือ - ruea): Moves like a rook in Western chess, horizontally or vertically, without any restrictions.

• Ang: Moves like a king in international chess, one step in any direction. Additionally, it has the unique ability to make a knight jump (Ses) during its first move, though this rule is no longer used in Thailand.

Game Conclusion

The game concludes when the king is checkmated, marking the end of a strategic and engaging match.

Experience the rich history and deep strategy of Makruk through our application, where you can enjoy this captivating game from the comfort of your device.