Makruk

Makruk, also known as Thai chess, is a traditional strategy game that offers a unique twist on the classic game of chess. Played on an 8x8 board, Makruk features pieces such as the king, queen, and various pawns, each with distinct movement rules. The ultimate goal is to checkmate your opponent's king, requiring players to employ both tactical skill and strategic planning. This game is particularly beloved in Thailand for its depth and complexity.

Features of Makruk:

• Play Against AIs: Hone your skills by competing against artificial intelligence opponents ranging from Easy to Expert levels.
• Daily Challenge: Engage with a fresh challenge every day to test and improve your abilities.
• Global Leaderboard: Compete on an international stage, striving to climb the ranks and showcase your prowess.
• Share Your Games: Share your most impressive moves and strategies with friends and family.
• Undo & Save/Load: Correct any missteps with the undo feature and save your game to resume later.
• Timer Based Game: Add an element of urgency and excitement with timed gameplay.

Makruk, known in Thai as หมากรุก (rtgs: Mak Ruk), is a board game that traces its origins back to the 6th-century Indian game of chaturanga. As a direct descendant, it is considered one of the closest living relatives to the ancestral game of all chess variants. In Thailand, approximately two million people play Makruk, compared to the 5,000 who play international chess.

Former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik has praised Makruk for its strategic depth, suggesting that it demands even more careful planning than international chess. He likened playing Makruk to navigating an anticipated endgame in international chess.

Rules:

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

The Queen (เม็ด met): The weakest piece, it moves one step diagonally, similar to 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, akin to the silver general in shogi.

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

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

The King (Ang): Moves like a king in international chess—one step in any direction. It can also perform a Ses (knight jump) on its first move, though this special move is no longer used in Thailand. The game concludes when the king is checkmated.

What's New

• Bug fixes to enhance gameplay experience.