What is Khmer Chess?

What is Khmer Chess?



The name Khmer Chess or Ouk in Cambodian is also well known as Cambodian Chess, Chhoeu trang, Chatrang, Chaturang or Ouk Chatrang. The word "Ouk" means Chess or Check and "Chhoeu" refers to the pieces and board which are usually made of - wood.

Khmer Chess is similar to the Western Chess in a number of ways.  Firstly, it requires two people to play against each other but playing in a team is also common. The object of Khmer Chess is also to capture (Ouk) the opponent's King.  If it becomes impossible to capture either player's King, then the game is declared a draw.

Board Setup

Board Setup

The Khmer Chessboard is a board of eight by eight squares with 32 playing pieces in total.  Each player starts with a force of 16 playing pieces consisting of eight Fishes (Trey), two Boats (Tuuk), two Horses (Ses), two Generals (Koul), one Queen (Neang) and one King (Sdaach/Ang).  The Fishes are set up on the third and sixth

The Power Of Being King

The Power Of Being King - Sdaach/Ang


The King is the most important and weakest piece.  The King moves like that of the Western Chess: one space in any direction.  On his first move, the King has the option to move a leap like the Knight, usually to the left or right.  However, in response to a direct attack from an opposing piece, this option is no longer valid and it has to move only one square as usual.  The King cannot capture the enemy pieces that are under protection of others.

The Presence Of A Queen

The Presence Of A Queen - Neang


Unlike the Western Chess, the Queen is the least powerful of all the major pieces in Khmer Chess.  She is as valuable as a Promoted Fish.  She may move one square per turn and only diagonally.  For the first move, it has the option to move two squares straight ahead provided that the Fish in front of her has advanced and the space is unoccupied.  She can capture the enemy piece if the latter occupies that square.