One of the most important tournaments on the national chess calendar has concluded in Ashgabat — the First League of the Turkmenistan Chess Championship. Held from January 18 to 24, the competition determined the final list of players who will compete in the Higher League in the upcoming season. The tournament clearly demonstrated a generational shift: young players are not only competing with seasoned masters but are increasingly becoming leaders of the national rankings.

Triumph of Young Talents

The main sensation in the women’s category was the victory of 12-year-old Dilber Hupbayeva, who scored 8.5 points and confirmed her ambitions for a place on the national Olympic team in 2026. Alongside her, tickets to the elite division were earned by Mehri Agamyradova, Aishe Gubatayeva, and Mehrijemal Gurbangeldiyeva.

In the open category, the title was claimed by 16-year-old Gurbanmyrat Rustemov. With 9 points, he confidently defeated experienced favorites. Qualification was also secured by Ilkhan Charyev, Shakhrukh Turaev, international master and chess veteran Karen Grigoryan, and Leyla Shohradova.

Development and Inclusivity

The tournament brought together 81 of the country’s strongest players and was held using the Swiss system over 11 rounds. A key feature was its commitment to inclusivity: organizers provided the necessary conditions for athletes with visual impairments to participate.

Special attention was drawn to the participation of women in the open (“men’s”) division. Leyla Shohradova, the highest-rated female player, chose to compete against the strongest players in the country in order to gain valuable experience. This highlights the rapid growth of women’s chess in Turkmenistan.

The Decisive Battle Ahead

In February, the winners of the First League will face established leaders in the Higher League. In the open category, they will be joined by reigning champion Vepaly Khalynyazov, Federation Cup winner Akhmet Gubatayev, and Grand Prix champion Amanmuhammet Khommadov.

In the women’s elite division, the First League qualifiers will be joined by reigning champion Jahan Rejepova, Federation Cup winner Gulmira Seyilkhanova, Grand Prix runner-up Ogulsuray Bayrambayeva, and rating leader Lala Shohradova. The confrontation between the classical school and bold young talents promises to make the upcoming final the most unpredictable in recent years.

ORIENT