The Higher League of the Turkmenistan Chess Championship has officially commenced at the Specialized Chess and Draughts School in Ashgabat.
The competition is divided into two categories: Open (Men’s) and Women’s. A total of 16 of the nation’s top chess players—8 in each category—are competing, all having qualified through rigorous national selection tournaments.
Road to the World Chess Olympiad
This championship serves as the final and most crucial stage in forming the Turkmenistan National Team. The winners will represent the country at the 47th World Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
According to the selection regulations, two players have already secured their spots in the men’s national team based on their high international ratings, bypassing the need to compete in this tournament: Saparmyrat Atabayev (Rating: 2487) and Meilis Annaberdiyev (Rating: 2424). The remaining three spots in the men’s squad will be determined by the results of the current Open category.
In the women’s category, Leyla Shokhradova (Rating: 2182), the top-ranked female player in the country, has also been automatically included in the Olympic team. The remaining members of the women’s squad will be decided based on their performance in this Higher League.
Higher League Participants: Open Category
The Open category features the country’s elite talent:
- Vepaly Halynyyazov – 2025 Higher League Winner (Rating: 2194)
- Ahmet Gubataev – 2025 Federation Cup Silver Medalist (Rating: 2176)
- Amanmuhammet Hommadov – 2025 Grand Prix Series Champion (Rating: 2269)
- Gurbanmyrat Rustemov – 2026 First League Winner (Rating: 2148)
- Ilkhan Charyev – 2026 First League Silver Medalist (Rating: 2187)
- Shahrukh Turaev – 2026 First League Bronze Medalist (Rating: 2211)
- Karen Grigoryan – International Master, 4th place in the 2026 First League (Rating: 2216)
- Leyla Shokhradova – Qualified for the Higher League following a 5th place finish in the 2026 First League (Rating: 2182)
A notable highlight of the tournament is the participation of 72-year-old International Master Karen Grigoryan. As the oldest competitor, he qualified for the Higher League strictly on sporting merit through the First League, without requiring a wild card.
Higher League Participants: Women’s Category
The women’s field includes the strongest female players in Turkmenistan:
- Jahan Rejepova – 2025 Higher League Champion (Rating: 2051)
- Lala Shokhradova – Highest-rated participant in the Higher League (Rating: 2109)
- Gulmira Seyilhanova – Girls’ Federation Cup Silver Medalist (Rating: 1810)
- Ogulsuray Bayrambayeva – TCF Women’s Grand Prix Silver Medalist (Rating: 1906)
- Dilber Hupbyyeva – 2026 First League Winner (Rating: 1916)
- Myahri Agamuradova – 2026 First League Silver Medalist (Rating: 1925)
- Ayshe Gubataeva – 2026 First League Bronze Medalist (Rating: 1908)
- Myahrijemal Gurbangeldyeva – 4th place in the 2026 First League (Rating: 1939)
Tournament Statistics
Open Category:
- Average Rating: 2198
- Average Age: 27 years
- Oldest Participant: 72 years (Karen Grigoryan)
- Youngest Participant: 16 years (Gurbanmyrat Rustemov)
Women’s Category:
- Average Rating: 1946
- Average Age: 18 years
- Oldest Participant: 23 years
- Youngest Participant: 12 years (Dilber Hupbyyeva)
The Turkmenistan Chess Championship (Higher League) will conclude on February 11, finalizing the roster for the national teams that will carry the country’s flag in Samarkand. ///Chess Federation of Turkmenistan