---
title: Makruk
slug: makruk
board: "8×8"
players: "2"
parent: chess
win: Checkmate
special: Thai chess. Pawns promote on rank 6 to Met (one-step diagonal). No castling or en passant.
engine:
  topology:
    type: grid
    rows: 8
    cols: 8
  players: [white, black]
  setup: "rngfkgnr/8/pppppppp/8/8/PPPPPPPP/8/RNGFKGNR"
---

## Makruk (Thai Chess)

The traditional chess of Thailand, played since the 16th century. Features a weaker promoted piece and no castling.


{{svg:makruk-board.svg "Makruk — starting position"}}

### Setup

**Board:** Standard 8×8.

**Setup:** Pawns start on the 3rd rank (not 2nd). Back rank: Rook, Knight, Silver General (Met), King, Queen (Met equivalent), Silver General, Knight, Rook.

**FEN:** `rngfkgnr/8/pppppppp/8/8/PPPPPPPP/8/RNGFKGNR w - - 0 1`

### Rules

- The Met (Silver General) moves one square diagonally in any direction. It cannot move orthogonally.
- The Queen equivalent also moves as a Met (one step diagonal) — it is a weak piece.
- Pawns promote on the 6th rank (not the 8th) and always promote to Met.
- No castling.
- No en passant.
- Pawns do not have a two-square initial move.
- Rooks, Knights, and Kings move as in standard chess.

### Win Condition

Checkmate the opponent's King.

### Strategy

With no Queen and only weak diagonal movers (Met), Makruk is a slower, more positional game than standard chess. Rooks are by far the most powerful pieces. Pawn promotion comes earlier (rank 6) but the promoted piece is weak. Endgames are critical — counting rules force resolution within a limited number of moves when material is low.

### Attribution

Traditional Thai chess. Played for over 500 years in Thailand. Public domain.