Makruk, or Thai chess, is a traditional strategy game that, while similar to international chess, boasts unique rules and pieces. Played on an 8x8 board, the game features pieces such as the king, queen, and various pawns, each with distinct movement patterns. The ultimate goal is to checkmate the opponent's king, a challenge that requires both tactical skill and strategic planning, making Makruk a beloved pastime in Thailand.

Features of Makruk:

• Play Against AIs: Sharpen your skills by competing against artificial intelligence opponents at different difficulty levels, ranging from Easy to Expert.
• Daily Challenge: Put your abilities to the test with a fresh challenge each day.
• Global Leaderboard: Engage in global competition, striving to climb the ranks against players from around the world.
• Share Your Games: Showcase your best moves and strategies by sharing your games with friends and family.
• Undo & Save/Load: Correct any missteps with the undo feature and save your game progress to continue playing at your convenience.
• Timer Based Game: Enhance the excitement with timed gameplay, adding a thrilling dimension to your matches.

Makruk, known in Thai as หมากรุก (Mak Ruk), traces its origins back to the 6th-century Indian game of chaturanga or a closely related variant, making it a direct descendant of the common ancestor of all chess games. It is widely considered to be the living game most similar to this ancient precursor.

In Thailand, approximately two million people are adept at playing Makruk, compared to about 5,000 who play international chess. According to former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik, Makruk is more strategic than its international counterpart. It demands meticulous planning, akin to managing an anticipated endgame in international chess.

Rules

The Pawn (เบี้ย bia, a cowry shell, formerly used for money): Moves and captures similarly to a pawn in international chess, but cannot advance two squares on its first move, thus eliminating the possibility of en passant capture. Upon reaching the sixth rank, a pawn is promoted to a queen (med).

The Queen (เม็ด met): This piece, the weakest on the board, moves one step diagonally, reminiscent of the fers in shatranj or a cat sword in dai shogi.

The Bishop (โคน khon, nobleman or mask): Moves one step diagonally or one step forward, mirroring the movement of the silver general in shogi.

The Knight (ม้า ma, horse): Moves identically to a knight in Western chess, making an L-shaped move of two steps in one direction followed by a perpendicular step, capable of jumping over other pieces.

The Rook (เรือ ruea, boat): Moves like a rook in Western chess, able to travel any number of steps horizontally or vertically.

The King (Ang): Moves one step in any direction, similar to a king in international chess. It once had the option for a Ses (knight's jump) on its first move, though this rule is no longer practiced in Thailand. The game concludes with the checkmate of the king.

What's New

• Bug fixes have been implemented to enhance your gaming experience.