Makruk

Makruk, also known as Thai chess, is a captivating traditional strategy game that, while similar to chess, boasts unique rules and pieces. Played on an 8x8 board, the game features a king, queen, and various pawns, each with distinct movement patterns. The ultimate goal is to checkmate the opponent's king, demanding a high level of tactical skill and strategic planning, which makes Makruk a beloved pastime in Thailand.

Features of Makruk:

• Play Against AIs: Sharpen your skills by challenging artificial intelligences ranging from Easy to Expert levels.
• Daily Challenge: Engage with a fresh challenge each day to test your mastery of the game.
• Global Leaderboard: Compete against players from around the world and strive to climb the ranks.
• Share Your Games: Showcase your best moves by sharing them with friends and family.
• Undo & Save/Load: Correct your mistakes with the undo feature and save your game to continue later.
• Timer Based Game: Heighten the excitement with timed gameplay, adding a thrilling dimension to your matches.

Makruk, or Thai chess (Thai: หมากรุก; RTGS: Mak Ruk), traces its origins back to the 6th-century Indian game of chaturanga or a closely related variant. This connection makes Makruk one of the most direct descendants of the common ancestor of all chess variants. With around two million Thais proficient in Makruk, compared to 5,000 who play international chess, it's clear that this game holds a special place in Thai culture.

According to former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik, Makruk Thai requires more strategic planning than international chess. Players must meticulously plan their moves, as Makruk can be likened to the anticipated endgame of international chess.

Rules

• The Pawn (เบี้ย bia, a cowry shell): Moves and captures similarly to a pawn in international chess but cannot advance two squares on its first move and thus cannot be captured en passant. When a pawn reaches the sixth rank, it is automatically promoted to a queen (med).

• The Queen (เม็ด met): Considered the weakest piece, it moves one step diagonally, akin to the fers in shatranj or the cat sword in dai shogi.

• The Bishop (โคน khon, nobleman or mask): Moves one step diagonally or one step forward, similar to the silver general in shogi.

• The Knight (ม้า ma, horse): Moves exactly like a knight in Western chess, capable of jumping over other pieces.

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

• The King (Ang): Moves one step in any direction, like a king in international chess. Traditionally, it was allowed to make 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 fixed.