B.Otgonzul, an athlete from the “Khulugt Togloom” Club and a third grade student at School No. 57 in Chingeltei District, Ulaanbaatar has achieved remarkable success in a short period through her dedication to checkers. She has become a formidable competitor in domestic tournaments among her peers and has risen to compete on international and continental stages. A multiple-time champion of the Ulaanbaatar Youth Championships and the National Youth Championships, B.Otgonzul clinched the title in the Turkish checkers category at the Asian Draughts-64 Championship 2024 held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, earning the continental championship trophy. Additionally, she demonstrated outstanding performance in the standard and rapid categories in her age group, returning home with two silver medals.

This year, as part of a recognition ceremony for young athletes who have won medals in continental and world competitions, she was awarded the “Erdem” Gold Medal by the Mongolian Children’s Palace.

Checkers is rapidly developing in Mongolia, with schools training athletes who compete at the continental and global levels. Who introduced you to checkers and guided you on your path to becoming an athlete?

I am the youngest of four sisters. Initially, I wanted to learn how to play chess. However, my elder sister taught me how to play checkers. I found the strategic moves of checkers fascinating and enjoyed playing on the board every day. At that time, I was in kindergarten and had not yet started first grade. That spring, I accompanied my sister to practice under the guidance of teacher B.Damdinbazar, who teaches mathematics to senior students at School No. 57. After a week of training, I participated in the Chingeltei District Championship. Even though I was not yet a student at the school, I represented it and won first place in my age group.

Winning a gold medal in the district championship must have inspired you to aim for the National Youth Championships.

Yes, it did. After participating in that tournament, I realized the need to improve my skills further. Teacher B.Damdinbazar advised my mother, saying, “B.Otgonzul has surpassed the level of training I can provide. Find her a good coach and enroll her in a club.” Following his advice, I began competing in the National Youth Championships, where I placed eighth out of the top ten, earning a spot to compete in the Asian Championships. However, since I was only six years old and not yet in school, I didn’t attend.

At the national tournament, I noticed children wearing yellow T-shirts with the words “Khulugt Togloom” performing exceptionally well and winning medals. During the event, parents were discussing how Coach P.Enkhsaruul of the “Khulugt Togloom” Club is renowned for nurturing young talents who achieve success early in their careers. Hearing this, my mother and I visited the club, and I’ve been training there for two years now.

From my very first lessons, I was introduced to solving intricate checkers problems, which laid the foundation for developing my strategic thinking. These exercises not only sharpened my ability to recognize patterns but also instilled the discipline to analyze multiple possibilities before making a move. As I progressed, the challenges became more advanced, pushing me to anticipate my opponent's strategy and plan several moves ahead. This rigorous training transformed my approach to the game, elevating both my tactical skills and my confidence on the board.

You’ve won the Ulaanbaatar City Championship twice. Starting your journey with a gold medal must make losing difficult to accept.
 

When I first participated in the Ulaanbaatar City Championship with my clubmates, I claimed first place, which brought immense joy to my coach and family. Beginning my journey with a gold medal inspired me to always strive to defend my title. To date, I’ve won the Chingeltei District Championship three times and the Ulaanbaatar City Championship twice (in 2023 and 2024). This year, even though I lost to a six-year-old from my club in the Ulaanbaatar City Championship, I still met the criteria to claim the title. Being an athlete is incredible—representing my district, school, or club in competitions and earning medals is deeply rewarding. Checkers taught me resilience, patience, and the ability to approach situations calmly, as well as the value of respecting and celebrating others’ achievements.
 

This year, you won the National Championship and secured your second opportunity to compete in the Asian Championship, which took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
 

At the end of February, after rigorous training, I participated in the continental tournament in Tashkent and emerged as the champion. Upon returning, I caught up on my studies and successfully passed my exams in May, advancing to the next grade. I enjoy subjects like math, Mongolian language, and art. Playing checkers has significantly improved my math skills. Our coach, P.Enkhsaruul often advises us to “Measure seven times, cut once,” emphasizing careful planning. Over time, I’ve accumulated numerous medals in both standard and rapid categories in the tournaments I’ve entered.
 

What was on your mind leading up to the Asian Championship?
 

My primary thought was to prepare well and represent my country with pride. A total of 57 children from Mongolia traveled to Uzbekistan for the championship, 12 of whom were from the “Khulugt Togloom” Club. When we arrived in Tashkent, the weather was warm despite some snow. Before the tournament began, I wasn’t nervous but felt slightly anxious. In my first game, I tied with a fellow Mongolian competitor and won my next match against a player from the host country. Out of the players in my age category, eight were from Mongolia. As the tournament progressed, the games became increasingly challenging, and I faced strong opponents. In the last three rounds, I gave everything I had. Regardless of the country I was competing against, I always aimed to win, which pushed me to give my absolute best.
 

Is it challenging to compete against fellow Mongolians in a continental tournament?
 

Competing against Mongolian players is tough, especially when they are strong contenders. For instance, before facing two top players from Umnugovi Province, my coach reviewed their games and told me, “Stay focused and think carefully. You have the upper hand in every aspect—positional play and problem-solving.” In the final game of the tournament, the stakes were high: a loss would mean bronze, while a win would secure gold.

In Tashkent, I claimed the Asian Championship title in the Turkish draughts category and won silver medals in both the standard and rapid categories. Turkish draughts differs from the 100-square version and are played on a chessboard. Among the players I encountered at the Asian Championship, I found the tactics of a competitor from the host country particularly fascinating. The athlete’s strategy appeared to involve creating the impression of being at a disadvantage, only to make a sudden, decisive move and secure victory. To counter this, I had to outthink the athlete by using even greater ingenuity. Maintaining control of the center and capturing the edge pieces were crucial. In checkers, defending the center is key—without it, victory becomes nearly impossible. Personally, I prefer an attacking style when facing my opponents.

Every time you stand on the podium, you must feel grateful to your sister, who taught you how to play checkers.

Absolutely. Every victory reminds me of my sister and mother, to whom I am deeply grateful. I also feel immense pride in my coaches, who have guided me to overcome tough competitors. Returning to Mongolia with the gold trophy from Tashkent, I thought, “I’ve made my country proud.” My school’s administration, teachers, classmates, and especially my teacher, B.Elbegjargal, gave me a warm welcome. My classmates greeted me with joy, and the parents' council gifted me a stone checkers set, which I truly loved. When I caught up on missed lessons, my teachers patiently explained everything from the beginning.

From our school, four students participated in the Asian Championship. I won the championship title, and my peers brought home silver and bronze medals.

How does your mother motivate and encourage you during competitions?

During crucial matches, my mother always says, “You can do it, my dear. Give it your best!” Her encouragement, along with my coach’s advice, reminds me that I must not lose to anyone. While playing, it’s crucial not to let your opponent see any signs of nervousness. They can read your emotions through your gaze, facial expressions, or demeanor. Remaining calm, methodical, and mistake-free is key.

My coach always advises, “Don’t be nervous. There’s no need to fear your opponent.” I respect my opponents and begin every match with a handshake. My coach even suggests, “Grip their hand firmly during the handshake. It’s a subtle psychological move that signals you’re not an easy competitor.”

One memorable story my coach shared was about a legendary player who, even after losing a key piece, told their opponent, “It’s fine, I’ll still win.” This made their opponent doubt themselves, thinking, “What if they really defeat me?” These stories stay with me.

Now, my goal is to compete in the World Championship. To enhance my skills, I’ve started training under International Master D.Battulga. He used to coach advanced students at the “Board Games” Club.

In international competitions, some countries field separate teams for different checkers categories. Did you notice this during your matches?

Yes, during the Asian Championship, I observed that other countries’ coaches formed specialized teams for the standard, blitz, and rapid categories. They expressed admiration for Mongolian players, recognizing their talent, skills, and intellectual capacity across all types of checkers.

Have you earned any sports titles through checkers?

Young players like me earn rankings, while adults competing in tournaments are awarded official titles. I currently hold a Level I Sports Ranking. In August, I participated in the National Amateur Championship in Dashinchilen soum of Bulgan Province, where I achieved one of the three standards required for the title of Candidate Master.

Before I even started school, I played in the amateur league and remember losing my first match to a competitor more than 40 years my senior. As I’m still young, I travel with my mother for international competitions, which makes covering the expenses challenging. Unfortunately, despite qualifying for the World Championship Trials in August, I couldn’t participate due to financial constraints. I actively engage in school tournaments and events. For instance, I won a silver medal in a trivia competition organized by the Student Council for fifth graders. I also secured second place in a solo dance competition last month and am now preparing for an upcoming poetry recital contest.

How have you benefited from training with older athletes at the “Board Games” Club?

I greatly admire the skills and achievements of G.Delgermaa, a student from “Oyut” School and a senior player at our club. She has a natural talent for checkers and, despite occasional criticism from our coach for underperforming in practice, she excelled at the World Youth Draughts Championship held in Poland last October. She won in the standard, rapid, and blitz categories for the nine to ten years old age group.

Her double gold and bronze medals from the Asian Championship also earned her the title of Candidate Master of Draughts. She generously shares her knowledge and skills with younger players like me.

Competing internationally allows athletes to gauge their skills and progress. Personally, I learn a lot from observing my opponents during matches.

In every competition, I focus on maintaining control of the game through formations rather than individual moves. I’d like to tell my peers who enjoy checkers: “Stay committed to your goals, and one day you’ll achieve success. Hard work and dedication are the keys to realizing your dreams.”

Finally, I’d like to express my gratitude to A.Shagdarsuren, the General Director of “Nomin Holding” LLC, for supporting me in participating in domestic and international competitions.