Toguzkumalak (also written toguz korgool or тоғызқұмалақ) is an ancient Kazakh board game from the mancala family, played across Central Asia for centuries. If you have ever wondered what is toguzkumalak, the short answer is that it is a two-player game of counting, sowing and capturing stones — simple to learn in minutes, yet rich enough to reward a lifetime of study.
This page is a short guide about toguzkumalak: what the game is, how the rules work, why it has endured, and where you can play toguzkumalak online. Because every stone is visible and nothing depends on luck, it is a pure test of calculation and planning, which is why this Kazakh game is taught in schools and played in official tournaments.
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The board has two rows. Each player owns nine holes (called otau) and one large store, the kazan (qazan). The game uses 162 stones in total, and at the start there are exactly nine stones in each of the 18 holes.
The name toguzkumalak comes from Kazakh words for "nine" and "pebble," describing both the nine holes per side and the nine starting stones in each. Traditionally carved from wood and played by herders, elders and families, it spread across the Kazakh and Kyrgyz steppe and today remains a recognized mind sport with national federations and ranked competition.
Its lasting appeal is that of chess or Go: no dice, no hidden information, no luck. Every position can be calculated, so strong players think many moves ahead — planning chains of captures and setting up a well-placed tuzdyk that quietly drains the opponent's side.
You can play toguzkumalak online for free at 9qum.com, against a trained AI or against real people from around the world.
Whether you are discovering this Kazakh game for the first time or returning as a seasoned player, 9qum.com is the easiest place to start playing today.