# Makruk - Thai Chess (หมากรุก)

> Makruk - Thai chess, a strategic board game descended from Chaturanga. (iPhone/iPad app by Nora Ky.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/makruk-thai-chess/id1155033508 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Nora Ky](https://appshunter.io/developer/928419018)
- Category: Games, Board, Strategy
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 12 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 29 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-11-02
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: ad-supported
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/makruk-thai-chess/id1155033508/reviews.md

## What is Makruk?

Makruk (Thai: หมากรุก; rtgs: Mak Ruk;), or Thai chess, is a board game descended from the 6th-century Indian game of chaturanga or a close relative thereof, and therefore related to chess. It is regarded as the most similar living game to this common ancestor of all chess variants.
There are around two million Thais who can play makruk, while 5000 can play chess.
According to former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik, Makruk Thai is more strategic than international chess. You have to plan your operations with total care since Makruk Thai can be compared to an anticipated endgame of International Chess.

Rules
---------
The Pawn
 (called เบี้ย bia, a cowry shell, formerly used for money) Moves and captures like a pawn in international chess, but cannot move two steps on the first move and, therefore, cannot be captured en passant. A pawn that reaches the sixth rank is always promoted to a queen (med).

The Queen
(called เม็ด met), the weakest piece, moves one step in any diagonal direction, like the fers in shatranj, or a cat sword in dai shogi.

The Bishop
(called โคน khon, nobleman or mask) moves one step in any diagonal direction or one step forward, like the silver general in shogi.

The Knight
(called ม้า ma, horse) moves like a knight in Western chess: two steps in one direction and then one step perpendicular to that movement. It jumps over any pieces in the way.

The Rook
(called เรือ ruea, boat) moves like a rook in Western chess: any number of steps horizontally or vertically.

Ang
moves like a king in international chess – one step in any direction. He is allowed to make a Ses (knight jump) at his first move (This special move is no more used in Thailand). The game ends when the king is checkmated.

## Key features

- Traditional Thai chess rules
- Unique piece movements
- Strategic gameplay
- Learn ancient chess variant
- Board game simulation

## Recent user reviews (10 of 12)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/makruk-thai-chess/id1155033508/reviews.md

### 1/5 — จอดำ

*2023-10-28, version 1.32*

แอปไม่ดี

### 2/5 — On-line gaming only

*2022-08-20*

Looks like you can only play against online opponents. I would have liked to be able to use the board to play against an in real life friend.

### 2/5 — แอปหมากรุกไทย

*2022-02-22, version 1.30*

หน้าจอดำ ในไอโฟน 12

### 1/5 — ห่วย

*2021-10-03, version 1.20*

กลัวแพ้ถึงขนาดกำลังจะชนะต้องเด้งออก ทำเกมส์ไว้เล่นกับพ่อเหอะ

### 1/5 — เกมกากหมา

*2021-05-28, version 1.20*

โหลดมาแล้วเล่นไม่ได้ พอเข้าเกมดำมืดหมดไม่โหลด เกมกากหมา

### 3/5 — เล่นไม่ได้

*2021-05-25, version 1.19*

เล่นไม่ได้หน้าดำแต็มเจอะสะด้วยเซ็งสัด

### 1/5 — The game isn’t play

*2021-05-25, version 1.19*

I’m not play game, because the game in blank.
I’m thinking you reuse the game now please.
Thanks.xx.

### 1/5 — IpadOS14.5.1 อัพแล้วเล่นไม่ได้กลายเป็นหน้าดำ

*2021-05-15, version 1.19*

รบกวนช่วยแก้ให้ด้วย

### 1/5 — ห่วย

*2021-04-17, version 1.18*

ห่วยมากๆ

### 1/5 — เกมยอดแย่

*2020-06-02, version 1.17*

ผู้แล่นส่วนมากเป็นคนไทย แต่ทุกครั้งที่กำลังจะชนะผู้เล่นที่มีระดับสูงๆ เกมมักจะดับไปเองตลอด เข้าไหม่ก็ดับอีก ไม่ทัดใด้เดิน เข้าอีกก็ดับอีก เป็นแบบนี้ไปเรื่อย จนเวลาเราเหลือน้อยกว่า จึงทำให้แพ้ไปในที่สุด ทั้งที่เกมและตัวหมากเป็นต่อ มากมาย จึงอนุโลมใด้ว่า มันเป็นเกมแหกตา เพื่อหาสตังค์จากโฆษณาเท่านั้น 
ป.ล : มีผู้เล่นหลายคนที่ มีสถิติ ไม่เคยแพ้ไครเลย จากการเล่นหลายร้อยเกม .... มันแหกตาชัดๆ...ใอ้พวกเลวทำให้สังคมหมากรุกไทยดูแย่

## Frequently asked questions about Makruk

### What is Makruk?

Makruk is the traditional Thai chess game, also known as Thai chess. It is a board game descended from the ancient Indian game of Chaturanga, making it a relative of modern chess.

### How is Makruk different from international chess?

Makruk has unique piece movements, particularly for the Queen (met) and Bishop (khon). It is considered by some to be more strategic, resembling an anticipated endgame of international chess.

### What are the rules for the Makruk pawn?

The Makruk pawn (bia) moves and captures like a pawn in international chess but cannot move two steps on the first move and cannot be captured en passant. Promotion to a Queen occurs upon reaching the sixth rank.

### Does Makruk have ads?

Yes, Makruk contains advertisements.

### What devices is Makruk available on?

Makruk is available on iPhone and iPad devices.

### What is the age rating for Makruk?

Makruk has an age rating of 4+.

### How often is Makruk updated?

The latest version of Makruk is 1.45, last updated on December 16, 2024.

### What is the user rating for Makruk?

Makruk has a rating of 4.3 stars from 6 ratings.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.45 — 2024-12-16

- Bug fixed.

### 1.44 — 2024-10-29

- Bug fixed.

### 1.43 — 2024-10-07

- Bug fixed.

### 1.42 — 2024-10-01

- Bug fixed.

### 1.41 — 2024-09-29

- Bug fixed.

## More apps by Nora Ky

- [Rek](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rek/id928419019)
- [KhlaSiKo (Tigers and Cows)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/khlasiko-tigers-and-cows/id931775512)
- [Ouk Chaktrang](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ouk-chaktrang/id1134384491)
- [Snakes And Ladders (Khmer Game)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snakes-and-ladders-khmer-game/id1158475640)
- [Chess Online (International)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chess-online-international/id1164382319)

All apps by Nora Ky: https://appshunter.io/developer/928419018

## Related topics

[ouk chaktrang](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ouk-chaktrang)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*