Chiangmai Checkers

A two-player abstract strategy game, reputedly originating from Chiangmai, Thailand, where it is said to be called Mhark Nheeb.

Players take turns to move one of their 8 marbles, which initially start on the back row of an 8×8 grid, any number of spaces in a horizontal or vertical direction.

Opposing marbles can be captures in one of two ways - enclosing or balancing.

Enclosing captures are made by moving a marble so as to trap one or more opposing marbles between the marble just moved and a pre-existing friendly marble, in an unbroken straight line, horizontally or vertically. The trapped marbles are removed from the board.

Balancing captures occur when a player moves a marble directly in between two opponents, one on either side in a vertical or horizontal direction, upon which the two opposing marbles are removed from the board.

(The rules in my possession do not state that captures are compulsory, nor do they suggest that any number other than 2 opposing marbles can be captured by balancing. Examples of enclosing captures of 1 or 2 opposing marbles are shown, from which I infer that any number (up to 6) opposing marbles may be captured in this way).

When a player is reduced to a single marble, he or she loses the game, unless he/she can WIN it with the very next move.

(The rules in my possession do not state what happens if a player is reduced from 2 or more down to zero moves in a single capture, but the implication is that this player immediately loses the game).