Makruk

Makruk, also known as Thai chess, is a fascinating strategy game with deep roots in Thai culture. Similar to international chess, it is played on an 8x8 board but features unique rules and pieces that challenge players to think differently. The objective of Makruk is to checkmate the opponent's king, requiring a blend of tactical skill and strategic planning that makes it a beloved pastime in Thailand.

Features of Makruk:

• Play Against AIs: Test your skills against artificial intelligence opponents at varying levels of difficulty, from Easy to Expert, to hone your strategy.

• Daily Challenge: Engage with a new puzzle or challenge every day to keep your gameplay fresh and exciting.

• Global Leaderboard: Compete on a worldwide stage, aiming to climb the ranks and prove your mastery of Makruk.

• Share Your Games: Showcase your best moves and strategies by sharing them with friends and family.

• Undo & Save/Load: Correct your moves with the undo feature and save your games to continue playing at your convenience.

• Timer Based Game: Experience the thrill of timed gameplay, adding an extra layer of excitement to your matches.

Makruk, or Thai chess (Thai: หมากรุก; RTGS: Mak Ruk), has origins tracing back to the 6th-century Indian game of chaturanga. As a direct descendant, it shares a common ancestry with all chess variants and is considered the closest living relative to the original game. In Thailand, approximately two million people are adept at playing Makruk, while only about 5,000 can play international chess. Notably, former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik praised Makruk for its strategic depth, likening it to an anticipated endgame in international chess where every move must be meticulously planned.

Rules

The Pawn (เบี้ย bia): The pawn, represented by a cowry shell, moves and captures as in international chess but cannot advance two squares on its first move and thus cannot be captured en passant. Upon reaching the sixth rank, it is promoted to a queen (med).

The Queen (เม็ด met): The queen, the weakest piece in Makruk, moves one step diagonally, similar to the fers in shatranj or a cat sword in dai shogi.

The Bishop (โคน khon): The bishop, known as a nobleman or mask, can move one step diagonally or one step forward, akin to the silver general in shogi.

The Knight (ม้า ma): The knight, symbolized by a horse, moves exactly like a knight in Western chess, jumping over any pieces in its path.

The Rook (เรือ ruea): The rook, represented by a boat, moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically, mirroring its Western counterpart.

The King (Ang): The king moves one step in any direction, just as in international chess. It was once allowed to make a Ses (knight jump) on its first move, but this rule is no longer used in Thailand. The game concludes when the king is checkmated.

What's New

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