The National Museum, in cooperation with the World Togyzkumalak Association, organized the First Open Tournament in the national games of Togyzkumalak and Bestemshe among school students.

The main goal of the event was to develop children’s intellectual abilities through national games, enhance logical thinking skills, foster moral and aesthetic values, promote a healthy lifestyle, and increase the younger generation’s respect for the historical and cultural heritage of the Kazakh people.

Togyzkumalak is an ancient national intellectual game of the Kazakh people. It is aimed at developing thinking abilities, strategic planning, and calculation skills. For centuries, this game has sharpened the intellectual capacity of ancestors and holds a special place in the Kazakh system of education and upbringing.

Bestemshe is a national game widely popular among school-aged children and young people. It not only develops speed, agility, and ingenuity, but also contributes to improving cooperation, communication, and social skills among players.

Students from Astana schools No. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 27, 32, 38, 40, 55, 59, 61, 66, 71, 72, 77, 78, 83, 84, 85, 86, 93, 103, and 106 took part in the tournament. Participants also included students from Binom School lyceums named after A. Baitursynov, A. Bokeikhanov, K. Satbayev, and Y. Altynsarin, as well as from Koyandy Secondary School No. 1.

The competition was held in accordance with the official rules of the national games Togyzkumalak and Bestemshe, and the winners were determined based on the total number of points scored.

Winners in Togyzkumalak:

1st place – Aisha Asylbekkyzy, student of Koyandy Secondary School No. 1

2nd place – Arsen Zhanusov, student of Binom School Lyceum named after Alikhan Bokeikhanov

3rd place – Abdurakhim Abdykhalyk, student of Secondary School No. 24 named after Zhusipbek Aimautov

3rd place – Dana Nazhkey, student of Secondary School No. 23

Winners in Bestemshe:

1st place – Bibinur Nurlan, student of School-Gymnasium No. 86 named after Mukhtar Auezov

2nd place – Vadim Ali, student of Secondary School No. 103

3rd place – Damir Nurzhan, student of School-Lyceum No. 93

3rd place – Ulys Oryskhan, student of School-Lyceum No. 72

We express our sincere gratitude to all participants for their activity, dedication, and interest in national games.