This museum exhibit is a board for the game togyz kumalak, translated from Kazakh as “nine stones”. There are other variants of the name. In Kyrgyz the game is called toguz korgool.

One of the oldest folk board games, it was designed for two players. The traditions of the game were passed on both in the family and in children’s school clubs.

The game aims to develop logic and mathematical thinking. Researchers call togyz kumalak “the algebra of shepherds”, because during the game process the opponents use all four basic mathematical operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Togyz kumalak is also sometimes called steppe chess.

The board from the museum collection was painted with vegetal decorative patterns in white, dark blue and dark red. In the center, the craftsman carved two round recesses alternating with three painted circles. In the center of the latter, there were voluminous semicircular inserts painted in black with four red petals.

Togyz kumalak is based on the number nine. Ancient Turks and Mongols considered it sacred. In the process of the game the players sit opposite each other. On the playing field in front of each participant there are 9 holes and 2 kazans. 9 stones are placed in each hole, 162 in total. For convenience, stones of different colors are used, sometimes made from wood, nuts, or seeds.

The aim of the game is to take as many balls as possible from the opponent’s holes into their own kazan. The participant takes all the balls from any of his holes and puts them one by one into the holes, moving counterclockwise. If the last ball gets into the enemy hole and the total number of stones in it becomes an even number, then the player, who made the move, takes the balls into his kazan. After that, the turn passes to the opponent.

If there is an odd number, the stones remain in the same place. Players take turns making moves. Both defense and offense are possible in the game. Taking balls away from the opponent is not an easy task. The winner is the one who takes all the balls from the opponent’s holes. The result of the game can be a draw if each participant has 81 stones in the kazan. In 2020, the game of togyz kumalak was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.