The recent stage of the Chess Grand Prix series, held in Dashoguz, gathered 128 participants.
The competition was conducted using the Swiss system over 9 rounds with classical time control: each player was given 90 minutes per game, with an additional 30 seconds added for each move from the first move onward.
The fight for the title of strongest players involved 85 participants in the open category and 43 in the women's category.
The tournament was held with the awarding of the international FIDE rating, which adds significant weight to the results and opens the path for participants to achieve higher international rankings.
In the open category, in which women have been allowed and even encouraged to participate alongside men in recent years, the title was won by Mergen Kakabaev, the Secretary General of the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan. In 9 games, he scored 8 points, finishing one point ahead of Amanmuhammet Hommadov, a second-year student at the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, and Shahruh Turaev, coach of the national women's team of Turkmenistan, who took second and third places respectively.
In the women's category, an absolute victory was achieved by Leila Shokhradova, a student at the Language Preparation Faculty of the International Oil and Gas University named after Yagshigeldi Kakaev, who scored a perfect result — 9 points out of 9 possible! 1.5 points behind her was Ogulsuray Bayrambaeva, a fourth-year student at the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports. Completing the top three with 6.5 points was Aisha Gubataeva, a fifth-year student at Magtymguly Turkmen State University.
The Grand Prix series, established by the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan, has become a crucial mechanism for discovering new stars, popularizing chess in the regions, and creating a fair and transparent system for selection to the national team.
With each new tournament in the Grand Prix series, it becomes increasingly clear that chess in Turkmenistan is experiencing a phase of active revival and growth. The geography of participants is expanding, the level of competition is rising, and youth are confidently asserting themselves, competing on an equal footing with recognized masters.
The next stages of the Grand Prix will take place in the cities of Turkmenbashi and Mary, where no less intense and exciting battles for the championship are expected.
The final stage will be held in Ashgabat. Based on its results, the winners in the open and women's categories will receive direct qualification spots for Turkmenistan’s top league in 2026, where the national team for international competitions will be formed.
turkmenistan.gov.tm
