9qum brings together eight strategy board games online that you can play free in your browser: togyz kumalak, chess, Russian draughts, international draughts, corners, bestemshe, mangala and oware. There is nothing to download, the site works on phones and computers, and you only need a free sign-up that takes a minute. The interface is available in English, Russian and Kazakh.
Pick a game and start in a few seconds. Each game has its own rating, tournaments and game history with replay.
Every game can be played against the computer. In togyz kumalak you face a neural-network AI with seven levels, from 3rd category to Honoured Master of Sport; the first three are free and the master levels cost coins per game. In chess you play the Stockfish engine on ten levels, from Novice (about 600) to Stockfish at maximum (about 3200). Russian draughts, international draughts, corners, bestemshe, mangala and oware each have four levels: Novice, Amateur, Strong and Master.
Want a human opponent? Play rated games online against real people, or send a friend an invite link and play together from anywhere. If you are sitting next to each other, two players can share one phone. Togyz kumalak ratings follow the method of the Kazakhstan federation (ҚРТСФ); the other seven games use Glicko-2.
In Play with a coach mode, a coach character plays against you and rates every move: best, excellent, good, inaccuracy, mistake or blunder. The coach gives hints, offers a take-back after a bad move and speaks its comments aloud. It is a friendly way to learn a new game or help a child get started. Coach mode is available in togyz kumalak, chess, Russian checkers, bestemshe, mangala and oware.
If you are new to board games, start with bestemshe: five holes per side and a goal of 26 stones out of 50 make it quick to learn. Mangala and oware are classic mancala games with six pits per side and 48 stones. Togyz kumalak is the deep national game of Kazakhstan, with 162 stones and the tuzdyk. Chess and Russian draughts need no introduction, and here you get a coach and invite links on top. International draughts on a 10×10 board suit those who want a deeper game of checkers, and corners is a capture-free race to the opposite corner that children pick up in a minute.
Yes, all eight games are free to play against people, friends and the computer. Only the master levels of the togyz kumalak AI cost coins.
Yes, a free sign-up that takes a minute. It keeps your ratings, history and tournament results.
Bestemshe and mangala have short rules and quick games, so they are a good first step. Coach mode helps a child understand every move.
Yes, the site works in a mobile browser, and there is also an Android app on Google Play.
Togyz Kumalak · Chess · Russian Draughts · International Draughts · Corners · Bestemshe · Mangala · Oware