Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 3, Trend S. Suleymanov /
Astana opened the First Togyzkumalak World Championship today. Athletes have arrived from 16 countries to participate, including Azerbaijan.
According to the event's organizing committee, athletes have also arrived from Georgia, the United States, Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, Spain and Germany.
The intellectual board game is a Kazakh national sport and pastime.
International Togyzkumalak Federation Chairman Alikhan Baimenov said over 100,000 people play the game worldwide.