From December 21 to 29, the Turkmenistan Junior Chess Championship for players under 20 was held at the Chess and Checkers School in Ashgabat. The tournament featured three disciplines: classical, rapid, and blitz chess. A total of 62 young chess players participated — 27 girls and 35 boys — representing various regions of the country.
Classical Chess
The classical event used a time control of 90 minutes per player, plus a 30-second increment per move.
Girls’ Category The main contenders for gold were the Shohradova sisters — Lala and Leyla — along with the rising star and reigning women’s national champion, Jahan Rejepova.
After drawing with her key rivals but winning all other games, Lala Shohradova (Woman FIDE Master, student at the Language Training Faculty of the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas) took first place with an impressive 10 points out of 11.
Her younger sister, Leyla Shohradova (also a Woman FIDE Master and student at the same faculty), finished half a point behind to claim silver. Bronze went to Jahan Rejepova (Woman FIDE Master, a schoolgirl from Lebap Region), who scored 9 out of 11.
Boys’ Category
As expected, the top favorite dominated: Amanmuhammet Hommadov (FIDE Master, second-year student at the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports) won gold with 9 points out of 11.
Silver and bronze were taken by players scoring 8 points each: schoolboy Ilkhan Charyev from Lebap Region and first-year student Ahmet Gubataev (Candidate Master of Sport, also from the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports).
Rapid Chess
Girls: Gold — Lala Shohradova; Silver — Jahan Rejepova; Bronze — Myahri Agamuradova (student at the 13th Sports School in Lebap Region).
Boys: Gold — Amanmuhammet Hommadov; Silver — Serdar Bayramov; Bronze — Azim Saryev.
Blitz Chess
Girls: Gold — Leyla Shohradova; Silver — Lala Shohradova; Bronze — Myahri Agamuradova.
Boys: Gold — Shageldi Kurbandurdyev; Silver — Amanmuhammet Hommadov; Bronze — Ilkhan Charyev.
The winners and prize-winners earned the right to represent Turkmenistan at upcoming international junior competitions, including the World Junior Chess Championship (classical format) scheduled in Peru. Results from the rapid and blitz events will also factor into selecting an extended national team roster.
The Chess Federation of Turkmenistan expressed sincere gratitude to the tournament’s partners and sponsors — Turkmen Congress, Duwmejik, Orient, Bulvar, Export Hyzmat, and Kuşt Älemi — for their comprehensive support and significant contribution to organizing and successfully hosting the event. Their assistance helps create opportunities for developing youth chess and discovering new talents in the country.
Detailed results, games, and final standings are available here: https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1302811.aspx?lan=1&art=13&SNode=S0
/// Chess Federation of Turkmenistan, 30 December 2025