Game Components

Board Structure and Terminology

The Toghyz Qumalaq board is a symmetrically designed set usually made of wood, resin, or durable composite materials. The playing surface consists of two primary types of hollows: Pits (Отау) and Storage Bowls (Қазан).

• Pits (Отау): There are 18 main pits in total, divided equally so that each player controls a row of 9 pits. From left to right on each player's side, these pits are numbered 1 through 9. Traditionally, each of these 9 pits bears a historic Kazakh name (e.g., Pit 1 is 'Tasotau', Pit 2 is 'Atotpes').
• Storage Bowls (Қазан): Positioned in the center or along the flanks of the board are two large accumulation basins called 'Qazan' (meaning cauldron or central pot). Each player has one designated Qazan where they store all tokens captured from the opponent during the game.

Game Tokens and Initial Setup

The game pieces are known as Құмалақ (Qumalaq), historically represented by dried pebbles or round pellets, and today by polished wood or plastic spheres.

• Total Count: Every standard game begins with exactly 162 tokens on the board.
• Initial Distribution: Each of the 18 pits is stocked with exactly 9 tokens before the first move (18 × 9 = 162).
• Empty Qazans: Both players' Qazans start completely empty.
• No Color Distinction: Unlike chess or checkers, the tokens themselves are neutral and do not belong to either player by color. Ownership of a token depends entirely on which pit or Qazan it resides in at any given time.

Board Orientation and Direction of Play

Players sit directly opposite each other with the board between them. The 9 pits closest to a player constitute their home side. Movement across the board during the game always proceeds strictly in a counter-clockwise direction.