The Specialized Chess and Checkers School in Ashgabat recently hosted one of the key events on the national sporting calendar—the First League of the Turkmenistan Chess Championship. Held from January 18 to 24, the tournament determined the final participants for the country’s High League for the upcoming season.
Tournament Format and Scale
The competition brought together 81 elite chess players (54 in the open category and 27 in the women’s category) who had successfully navigated the rigorous selection process of the Second League. The tournament followed a Swiss system over 11 rounds. Organizers ensured equal conditions for all participants, including an inclusive environment for athletes with visual impairments.
Triumph of Young Talents: Women’s Category
The sensation of the tournament was the victory of 12-year-old Dilber Hupbyeva from the Dashoguz region. The following players successfully qualified for the Women’s High League:
- 1st Place: Dilber Hupbyeva (8.5 points, FIDE rating: 1780). The young prodigy confirmed her serious ambitions to join the 2026 Olympic team.
- 2nd Place: Myahri Agamyradova (8.5 points, Lebap region, 1884). She demonstrated a consistently high level, losing the top spot only on tie-break markers.
- 3rd Place: Aishe Gubataeva (8 points, Ashgabat, 1878). A student at Magtymguly Turkmen State University, she solidified her status as an experienced player.
- 4th Place: Myahrijemal Gurbangeldyeva (7.5 points, 1851), who also secured a ticket to the elite division.
Chess Battles: Open Category
In the open section, the Lebap school of chess celebrated a major victory, with its students dominating the top of the table. Five players from this category advanced to the High League:
- 1st Place: Gurbanmyrat Rustemov (9 points, FIDE rating: 2036). The 16-year-old became the tournament’s biggest surprise, confidently defeating favorites, including Shahruh Turaev and women’s national team leader Lala Shokhradova.
- 2nd Place: Ilkhan Charyev (8.5 points, 2086). The 18-year-old from Lebap proved for the second consecutive year that he belongs in the elite division.
- 3rd Place: Shahruh Turaev (8 points, 2198). The head coach of the women’s national team led for most of the event and, despite a stumble in the final rounds, remains a top contender for medals in the High League.
Rounding out the Top 5: Also qualifying for the High League were 72-year-old veteran International Master Karen Grigoryan (2225) and Leyla Shokhradova (2174, already a member of the 2026 women’s national team).
First League Summary
This championship highlighted a significant surge in professionalism among the youth. The changing of the guard in Turkmen chess is now a reality: young players are not just competing with seasoned masters but are dictating the terms of play at the national level.
Looking Ahead to the High League: Battle of the Strongest
February will bring the culmination of the national cycle. The High League competitions (both open and women’s) will follow a double round-robin system featuring 8 selected masters in each section.
Open Category Lineup: Joining the five First League qualifiers are players who secured their spots through other channels:
- Vepaly Khalynyazov (2194) – Reigning 2025 High League Champion;
- Ahmet Gubataev (2176) – Federation Cup Winner;
- Amanmuhammet Khommadov (2268) – Grand Prix Series Champion.
Special attention is on Leyla Shokhradova. As the highest-rated female player, she already has a spot on the national team. However, she has chosen to compete in the open (“men’s”) High League to gain valuable experience against the country’s strongest overall players.
Women’s Category Lineup: Joining the First League leaders in the elite division:
- Jahan Rejepova (1985) – Reigning 2025 High League Champion;
- Gulmira Seyilkhanova (1914) – via the Federation Cup;
- Ogulsuray Bayrambaeva (1945) – Grand Prix Series Vice-champion;
- Lala Shokhradova (2089) – Qualified via rating.
Progress of Women’s Ches
The trend of women participating in the open elite division underscores the rapid advancement of women’s chess in Turkmenistan. Leyla Shokhradova continues a tradition set by her sister, Lala Shokhradova, who broke into the “men’s” High League in 2023 and 2025. This marks the third time in the last four years that a female player has ranked among the top chess players in the country’s general standings. /// Chess Federation of Turkmenistan