The International Chess Tournament "Ashgabat 2025" began in Ashgabat on June 16, bringing together 129 young athletes from 11 countries: Vietnam, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

At the festive opening ceremony of the tournament, Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Education, Healthcare and Sports Bayramgul Orazdurdyeva read out an address from President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the participants of the competition.

The head of state expressed confidence that this competition will become an important event in the sports history of Turkmenistan, will strengthen international cooperation in the field of sports, promote the ideas of peace and friendship, and popularize and affirm the principles of the Olympic movement.

The tournament is being held as part of events dedicated to the status of Ashgabat as the "City of New Sports Opportunities of the Commonwealth".

CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev also sent a greeting to the participants of the International Chess Tournament. He noted the role of the country's leadership in supporting physical culture and sports and expressed confidence that the high-level organization of this tournament in Ashgabat, which was deservedly declared the City of New Sports Opportunities of the Commonwealth by the Decision of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS, will contribute not only to the development of chess skills, but also to strengthening friendship between young athletes from the CIS countries and other states.

The tournament is held according to the Swiss system in three age categories - up to 8, 10 and 12 years among girls and boys - and includes rapid and blitz competitions held over three days at the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School.

On Monday, 6 out of 9 rounds of the rapid tournament were played. Young athletes from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan occupy leading positions.

In the boys' group under 8 years old, Charykhekim Charyev, representing the Ashgabat club "Kuşt Älemi", with 5 points out of 6 possible, shares the lead with Saifudin Erkinboev from Uzbekistan. Then a whole group of 5 players from Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are chasing the leaders with 4 points.

In the girls' group under 8 years old, Zarina Larina (Uzbekistan) is in first place with 5.5 points out of 6. She is followed by Amira Alemanova (Kazakhstan) and Byagul Dzhumaeva (Turkmenistan) with 4.5 points.

Among boys under 10, the leadership is shared by our compatriot from Turkmenabat Maksat Avlyakulyev and Abdurakhmon Radjabov from Uzbekistan with 5.5 points out of 6 possible. Alrami Mukashev from Kazakhstan is in third place with a gap of one point.

Among girls under 10, Lyale Vepayeva (“Kuşt Älemi”, Turkmenistan) is in the lead. Zarina Nematjonova (Uzbekistan) and Gunesh Bayramova from Turkmenabat are half a point behind her.

In the group of boys under 12, the first place with a 100 percent result (6 out of 6) is taken by the two-time champion of Western Asia this year in the same category Nurasyl Primbetov (Kazakhstan). He is followed by Alikhan Batyrov from Mary with 5 points, who will try to stop the Kazakhstani in a personal meeting today in the 7th round. Next with 4 points are three players from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Dilber Khupbyeva from Dashoguz in the category of girls under 12 years old is in first place with 5.5 points out of 6. She is followed by Aiya Bayramova from Turkmenabat with 5 points. And 3-4th places are shared by Malika Norkulova (Uzbekistan) and Dursundzhemal Kullieva (Turkmenistan).

The final list of winners and prize-winners will be determined based on the results of the remaining three rounds on June 17. The national team of Turkmenistan is represented by 81 participants.

The organizers are the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan and the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports of Turkmenistan. A total of 12 sets of medals will be played for. On Wednesday, June 18, the participants of the international tournament will have an equally intense continuation - blitz competitions. Within the blitz discipline, each game will be held with a time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds added for each move. As in rapid, 9 rounds will be played, based on the results of which the owners of the next 6 sets of medals will be determined.

In addition to the competitive part, a cultural program has been prepared for the participants with visits to the sights of the capital: the Olympic Village, circus, parks and shopping and entertainment centers.

ORIENT