The Ashgabat Specialized School of Chess and Draughts is currently hosting the First League of the Turkmenistan Chess Championship. Running from January 18 to 24, the tournament serves as the nation’s high-stakes second-tier division.
Under the national competition framework, the “Turkmenistan Championship” is divided into three tiers: the Higher League (top division), the First League (second division), and the Second League (third division). While the current First League battles are underway, the elite Higher League is scheduled to follow in February.
Tournament Objectives and Structure
The primary mission of the First League is to identify the top performers who will earn promotion to the Higher League. It also serves as a critical arena for seasoned players to gain competitive practice and improve their international ratings. Unlike the Second League, which welcomes newcomers, the First League is restricted to experienced athletes holding sports ranks and titles.
Participant Breakdown: A total of 81 chess players are competing in this edition:
- 54 players in the Open category.
- 27 players in the Women’s category.
Notably, while the Open category is predominantly male, the Federation traditionally permits top-ranked female players—those who have already secured spots in the Women’s Higher League—to participate. This policy is designed to bolster their experience and ratings through high-level competition against male opponents.
Inclusivity and Elite Competition
The Chess Federation of Turkmenistan continues to prioritize inclusivity, with visually impaired athletes competing alongside their peers. The Federation has ensured all necessary conditions are met to accommodate these players, maintaining the requirement that all participants hold at least a Candidate Master title.
FIDE Master and General Secretary of the National Chess Federation, Mergen Kakabayev, highlighted the intense level of play expected this year:
“The First League features a blend of promising young masters and seasoned veterans. The roster includes International Master Karen Grigoryan—the most experienced player in this division—and Shahrukh Turaev, the head coach of the women’s national team. This lineup confirms the exceptionally high level of the competition.”
The Open category also features some of the country’s leading female stars, including the Shohradova sisters, reigning girls’ champion Jahana Rejepova, and Ogulsuray Bayrambayeva, the runner-up of last season’s Higher League.
The Rise of Youth
The Women’s category is characterized by a significant youth movement, with the majority of contestants under the age of 20. This demographic shift reflects the rapid development of youth chess in Turkmenistan, as young athletes who began training at an early age now challenge the few remaining veterans for the title.
“In the women’s league, it is extremely difficult to make predictions because the competition is so fierce,” Kakabayev added.
The Turkmenistan First League Championship will conclude on 24 January 2026. /// Chess Federation of Turkmenistan