Makruk (Thai Chess)

Initial setup

d1, e8: King
e1, d8: Met
a1, a8, h1, h8: Rook
c1, c8, f1, f8: Elephant
b1, b8, g1, g8: Knight
a3-h3, a6-h6: Pawns

Moves at a Glance

Click on a piece below to see its moves

Sliding capture or non-capture,
can be blocked on any square along the ray

Unblockable leap (capture or non-capture)
Non-capture only
Capture only

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Piece ID value Moves (Betza notation) Remarks
King K - K With Cambodian rules its first move can also be a non-capture Knight jump (mfhN)
Met M 1.5 F With Cambodian rules its first move can also be two steps forward (fD)
Rook R 5 R
Elephant S 2.5 FfW
Knight N 3.25 N
Pawn P 1 mfWcfF Promotes to M on reaching last rank

Pawn peculiarities

General rules

Differences with FIDE

The Queen and Bishops are replaced by Ferz and Elephant. Pawns start on the third rank. Promotion happens on 6th rank. Promotion always to Met.

Strategy issues

It is not possible to force checkmate on a bare King with just a single Met, Elephant or Knight (in addition to your own King). Two Knights or two Mets cannot do it either.