The Fascinating World of Abacus-Based Games and Competitions
If you think of the abacus merely as an ancient counting device, think again. This centuries-old tool continues to find relevance and practicality in the modern age, particularly when it comes to developing mental arithmetic skills in children and adults alike. And here’s where games and competitions come in.
The Traditional Japanese Game of Soroban
One classic abacus-based game that’s still widely played today is Soroban, a Japanese counting game that involves performing basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) on the abacus faster than your opponent. Aside from being a fun pastime, Soroban is also widely recognized as an effective way to sharpen numerical and visualization skills.
The Mental Math Olympics: The World Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Championships
For those who take abacus competitions more seriously, there’s no better event than the World Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Championships. Held annually in different countries, this prestigious competition brings together the best abacus practitioners from all over the world to compete in various categories such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, with thousands of dollars in cash prizes at stake.
Abacus-Based Video Games for All Ages
If you can’t get enough of abacus-based games, you’ll be glad to know there are plenty of digital options available. One such game is Kanos Abacus, which challenges players to solve math problems using virtual abacuses. For younger children, there are also apps like Acorn Balance that gamify the use of virtual abacuses to teach basic mathematical concepts.
Abacus Chess: The Ultimate Test of Mental Agility
For a truly mind-bending abacus-based game, try Abacus Chess. The game is played on a specially-designed board that resembles a chessboard, with each square representing a number on the abacus. The goal is to move abacus beads following the rules of chess, with the ultimate objective being to checkmate your opponent’s abacus.
Explore the World of Abacus-Based Games and Competitions Today
Whether you’re a casual player looking for fun ways to improve your mental math skills, or a serious competitor aiming for the top, abacus-based games and competitions offer endless hours of entertainment and education. So go ahead and explore this fascinating world for yourself!
