The Turkmen chess star secures gold on tiebreaks, claiming her second medal at the continental championship in Mumbai.
Turkmenistan’s Lala Shohradova has won gold in the rapid event at the Asian Junior (U20) Chess Championship, currently underway in Mumbai, India, at the ITC Maratha Hotel from 16 August 2026 to 26 August 2026.
The championship is organized by the Maharashtra Chess Association under the auspices of the All India Chess Federation (AICF), the Asian Chess Federation (ACF), and FIDE. A total of 157 players from 10 countries are competing across three disciplines: classical, rapid, and blitz.
The girls’ rapid category featured 60 competitors from India, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Turkmenistan fielded four athletes: Jahan Rejepova, Myahri Agamuradova, Leyla Shohradova, and Lala Shohradova.
Gold Secured on Tiebreak
After seven rounds, Lala Shohradova (rating 2181), a student at the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International Oil and Gas University, finished with 6 points out of 7. India’s Pratiti Bordoloi matched her score, but superior tiebreak criteria ultimately awarded the title to the Turkmen star.
Final Standings:
| Place | Player | Points |
| 1 | Lala Shohradova (Turkmenistan) | 6 |
| 2 | Pratiti Bordoloi (India) | 6 |
| 3 | Prishita Gupta (India) | 5 |
Dr. Parinay Fuke, President of the Maharashtra Chess Association, presented the awards to the top finishers.
Championship Character
Shohradova’s path to the gold was a test of resilience. After a third-round setback against her teammate WFM Jahan Rejepova, she mounted a flawless comeback, winning every remaining game.
The turning point came in rounds six and seven, where Shohradova navigated complex, high-pressure positions. Precise calculation and composure allowed her to turn both games around—clinching the overall victory.
This triumph marks Shohradova’s second podium finish of the tournament. On 17 August 2026, the opening day of the championship, she claimed silver in the blitz discipline, where she entered as the top seed.
The entire Turkmen squad displayed strong form early on, with Jahan Rejepova remaining undefeated through four rapid rounds to hold a spot among the top six.
The Main Event Begins
On 20 August 2026, play commenced for the classical tournament—the marquee event of the championship. Running through 26 August 2026, the 9-round Swiss tournament offers direct FIDE titles: the winner will earn the Woman International Master (WIM) title and a Woman Grandmaster (WGM) norm.
About the Championship
The Asian Junior (U20) Chess Championship is one of the continent’s flagship youth events under the aegis of ACF and FIDE. Historic past champions include Viswanathan Anand, Abhijit Kunte, and Tejas Bakre in the open division, alongside Koneru Humpy, Tania Sachdev, and Ivana Furtado in the girls’ division. ///nCa, 20 August 2026 (in cooperation with the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan)