Makruk, or Thai chess, is one of the most popular indoor games among Thai people. It is played on a board between two people or two sides, who have to think strategically to defeat their rival. The player with the better strategy will win the game, unless, of course, a player intentionally holds back to let the other side win for the sake of friendship.
In the old days, people would not play Makruk at home; they believed that the word "ruk" (meaning "to check") might lead to disputes among family members, as they would not compromise with one another. So this game was normally found in various public places, such as temples and clubs. Today, it is no longer restricted to public places. Even so, the local temple has become the place where good Makruk players are produced. Makruk is still played widely as a pastime or at temple fairs on various occasions, such as ordination and funeral ceremonies. It is sometimes played all day and all night, until the break of the day.
A translation of a historical book from English into Thai by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, a son of King Mongkut (Rama IV) states that Makruk had its origin in India thousands of years ago. The Ramayana epic has it that Rama led an army to lay siege to the city of Langka, ruled by the demon-king Ravana (Thotsakan). Montho, Ravana's wife, was concerned that her husband was so engaged in the struggle to protect the city that he had no time for ecreation. Realizing that her husband would not easily turn away from thoughts of battle, she invented a chessboard representing a battlefield and armies maneuvering. The Indians called it "chaturong", with four military corps used as chessmen. They included the elephant (khon), the horse (ma), the navy (rua), and the infantry (rap or bia). Raja, or king (khun), is the most important piece on the chessboard.
In the year 200 B.E. (around 350 B.C.), an Indian king recognized as great monarch was successful in making war against all neighboring countries. He became unhappy when he realized there was no more countries he could do battle with. The king consulted a nobleman named Sassa on how to be happy. Sassa modified the chaturong game, so that could be played by only two persons, representing the armies of the rival countries. The king enjoyed playing this game very much and his country became peaceful and prosperous.
The pastime of playing chess was later introduced in other countries, which have made many modifications. So, although the game varies from country to country, every version shares the same root in Indian history and legend.
