Sports & Tournaments

World Federation of Toghyzqumalaq (WFTQ)

Toghyz Qumalaq has successfully evolved from a traditional folk pastime into a recognized international mind sport. In 2008, the World Federation of Toghyzqumalaq (WFTQ) was established to oversee standardized regulations and global development.

Today, the federation spans member organizations across over 30 countries in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa.

World Championships and Major International Events

Official competitive Toghyz Qumalaq follows a structured global calendar:

• World Championships: Held biennially since 2010, bringing together top grandmasters worldwide.
• Continental Championships: Including Asian Championships and Open European Tournaments.
• World Nomad Games: Toghyz Qumalaq serves as a anchor mind sport in the official program of these global games.

Tournament Formats and Chess Clock Controls

Professional matches utilize electronic chess clocks across three primary speed controls:

• Classic: 60 to 90 minutes per player per game. Allows for deep mathematical calculation and strategic planning.
• Rapid: 15 to 20 minutes per player, requiring swift operational decisions.
• Blitz: 5 minutes per player, testing instinctive execution and razor-sharp reflexes.

Titles and the Elo Rating System

Competitors earn standardized sports titles based on performance in sanctioned international tournaments:

• International Master of Sports (IM).
• Master of Sports (MS).
• Candidate Master (CM).
• An official Elo-based international rating system is maintained to track global rankings.