Makruk (Thai Chess)
Also known as: Makruk / Thai Chess
Makruk is a traditional game from Thailand for two players (about 20 minutes). Each piece moves its own way; checkmate the opposing Khun before the endgame count runs out.
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Makruk (Thai Chess) in 30 seconds
- SetupAn 8×8 board with 16 pieces each. Bias start on each third rank. White first.
- TurnsMove one piece, then the other player moves. Landing on an enemy piece captures it.
- WinCheckmate the opposing Khun: it is attacked with no way to escape.
- EndgameWhen no unpromoted Bias remain, the side with fewer pieces counts. Survive the count limit to draw.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 players |
| Play time | About 20 min |
| Type | Board |
| Ranked play | No |
| Practice against the CPU | Yes |
| Price | Free (no account needed) |
| Rights holder | A public-domain classic game |
| Last updated | 2026-10-07 |
How to play Makruk (Thai Chess) online with friends
- Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
- Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
- Everyone opens it in a browserOnce 2 players have joined, the host taps "Start".
Rule highlights
Setup, play, winning, and house rules
Setup
- Two players, 16 pieces each, on an 8×8 board.
- From each player’s left, the back rank is Ruea, Ma, Khon, Khun, Met, Khon, Ma, Ruea.
- Bias start on each third rank. Opposing Khuns and Mets are diagonally offset. White moves first.
How to play
- Move one piece per turn, capturing an enemy on the destination. Captured pieces stay off the board.
- Khun: any direction one step; Met and Bia Ngai: diagonal one step; Khon: forward or diagonal one step; Ma: a two-plus-one jump; Ruea: straight lines.
- Bia: one empty square forward; captures diagonally forward. No double step, en passant or castling.
- At its sixth rank a Bia must become a Bia Ngai, which steps diagonally.
- Answer check by moving, capturing or blocking. A Khun may never move onto an attacked square.
- Once no unpromoted Bias remain on either side (Bia Ngais may remain) and piece counts differ, the side with fewer pieces starts a board count at zero, up to 64. In declaration mode press Start counting or Stop counting; neither uses a turn. Starting again after stopping counts afresh (the first move is 1).
- With no unpromoted Bias and only a Khun on one side, a piece count starts at the total number of pieces, both Khuns included. Automatic mode starts it by itself; in declaration mode the lone Khun’s side presses Start counting (a board count it already declared switches over). Limits: two Rueas 8; one 16; two Khons 22; two Mas 32; one Khon 44; one Ma or only Mets/Bia Ngais 64. Use the smallest.
- Only the counting side’s moves increment n. Captures do not reset the number or limit. A board count stops if that side gains more pieces; automatic mode then starts the other side’s count.
Winning
- No legal escape from check is checkmate and a win.
- No legal move without check, only two Khuns, or the same board and turn three times draws.
- After the counting side reaches the limit, the opponent has one last move. Checkmate wins; otherwise draw.
- In declaration mode, if the counting side checkmates without stopping its board count, the game is a draw (press Stop counting first to play for the win). In automatic mode the count cannot be stopped, so such a checkmate wins.
- A piece count starting at or beyond its limit draws immediately. Either player may resign.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting a count | Automatic, or declared by the side with fewer pieces (a lone Khun too). A declared count can be stopped; checkmating while still counting draws. | Automatic (standard) | Changeable |
| Show legal moves | Show destination dots when selecting a piece. | On | Changeable |
| Swap first player | Swap White each game. | On | Changeable |
| Piece name labels | Show short name labels on the pieces. | On | Changeable |
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FAQ
How many players?
Two. You can play against a CPU.
How long?
About 20 minutes, without a chess clock.
Do I need an account?
No account is needed. Share a table link to play with a friend, or play against the CPU.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. No app is needed — just open it in a browser. You can join the same party as people on a PC or tablet.
Can two people play?
Yes. This game supports 2 or more players.
Can we play without being online at the same time?
Yes. Choose “Turn-based (told each turn)” and you can make one move whenever you like. We tell you when it is your turn. A table ends automatically, with no winner or loser, after 45 days without a move.
Rights holder and physical edition
This is a public-domain classic game. The rules follow the standard reference rules.
Related games
Same type (Board)
Same player count
Last updated 2026-10-07 · Run by Qdan, Inc.