Makruk

Thai chess with shorter-range pieces — checkmate the enemy king.

Thai chess with familiar armies but different piece ranges — notably a shorter-range queen (nobleman) and bishop (count). Pawns promote on the third-to-last rank. Checkmate the opposing king to win.

Über Makruk

Play Makruk (Thai chess) free online. If you know Chess, you'll recognize the goal — checkmate — while learning new piece values and slower endgames. Practice locally with a friend or against the CPU on Strategy Games.

Makruk spielen

  1. Set up the Makruk starting position and alternate moves, beginning with the side stipulated by the ruleset.
  2. Move each piece by Makruk definitions — the queen and bishop differ from international Chess.
  3. Promote pawns when they reach the promotion rank (third-to-last).
  4. Checkmate the opposing king. Draws can occur by stalemate or insufficient mating material depending on the position.

Tipps & Strategie

  • Don't treat the Makruk queen like a Chess queen — its reach is limited.
  • Endgames last longer; king activity matters earlier than you may expect.
  • Promote thoughtfully; the promoted piece set differs from Chess queens-only habits.
  • Use Easy CPU to map piece values before trying Hard.

Makruk FAQ

What is Makruk?

Makruk is Thai chess — a related but distinct classical chess family game with different piece movement and promotion.

Is Makruk free?

Yes. Play in your browser with no download.

Can I play vs a friend?

Yes. Local pass-and-play is available.

How is promotion different from Chess?

Pawns promote on the third-to-last rank, and promotion options follow Makruk rules rather than always becoming a Chess queen.

Is there a computer opponent?

Yes. Choose Easy, Medium, or Hard.

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