Shogi in Mongolia

The first from Mongolians began to play shogi was Mr.Erdenebaatar Genden. He learnt shogi from his Japanese friends during his stay in China from 1993 to 1998.

In 1999 Erdenebaatar Genden started Smartboard board game club to introduce shogi to Mongolians. The club taught shogi to Mongolian students in Ulaanbaatar city which is a capital city of Mongolia and published some articles about shogi in daily newspapers. There were over 40 shogi players in early 2000. But due to funding problem the club was closed in spring of 2000.

Last time interest in Japanese culture in Mongolia has increased dramatically. It connected with the success of Mongolian sumo wrestlers (Ashashoryu and Hakuho) in Japan recent years. As a result Mongolian younger generation is eager to learn shogi as a part of Japanese culture and they have a big dream to become a champion.

In 2007 "Brainpower" Mongolian Shogi Association was establsished to spread shogi in Mongolia. The Chairman of the "Brainpower" Mongolian Shogi Association is Mr.Erdenebaatar Genden.

It was created completed shogi learning guide in Mongolian language and made some shogi sets with Mongolian letters on the pieces. This time shogi course for beginners began to start at several secondary schools in Ulaanbaatar. Around 60 students have been taught shogi, but the number of regular shogi players is quite few at the moment. As shogi teaching material it is used Tony Hosking's "The Art of Shogi" sent from ISPS.

The first Mongolian shogi webpages will be appear soon. It will be located at : www.shogi.net/mongolia.

Chronology of main shogi events in Mongolia

1999

* Ulanbaatar Smartboard board game club began to promote shogi in Mongolia

* Shogi articles were published in Mongolian daily newspapers

2007

* The "Brainpower" Mongolian Shogi Association was founded and registered in the Ministry of Law of Mongolia

* It was established relationship with ISPS

* It was began to create the first Mongolian shogi website

* Shogi course for beginners was started at several secondary schools in Ulaanbaatar city