The game of Makruk (also known as Thai Makruk or Ouk Chatrang in Cambodia) is a version of chess seldom played outside of Thailand or Cambodia, but enjoying great popularity in those countries. The game of Sittyuin is its Burmese cousin, although not nearly so widespread as Makruk. As these games are somewhat closely related, I have included both of them in this module.
 
These ZRF files are largely revamped versions of the Thai and Burmese Chess ZRF files that are included with Zillions of Games. The main weakness with these versions, I found, was that it used [images of] Staunton chess pieces. Considering that in both Makruk and Sittuyin the "queen" is a weak piece and the "bishops" are only marginally stronger, it was often confusing to have such weak pieces represented by larger graphics. I therefore use more appropriate graphics, mostly from Makruk software from Thailand. I have also included some more chess-like pieces too, for those that want them.
 
I have also changed the Sittuyin ZRF to include each player's considerable freedom in setting up all pieces other than pawns. To start play, each player has the pawns on the board and all other pieces off to their right, ready to distribute on the board. White and then Black arrange their pieces behind their lines of pawns, with some restrictions, before White makes the first move proper of the game.
 
Included with the Makruk ZRF are three variants with first-turn-only improved powers for the King, Guard or both. The "Variants" with Sittuyin are only sample setups of pieces with no changes in the rules.