For the First Time, a Grand Prix Chess Stage Was Held in Mary, Concluding with a New Title Award
From October 7 to 12, 2025, the fourth stage of the prestigious Grand Prix Series of the Turkmenistan Chess Federation (TCF) was held for the first time in the city of Mary. The tournament, included in the official FIDE international ranking list, brought together 141 players competing for places in the final stage.
The competition was conducted over nine rounds under the Swiss system with classical time control, ensuring high-level rivalry.
Women’s Tournament: Leýla Shohradova, a student of the Yagshygeldi Kakaev International University of Oil and Gas, confirmed her confident leadership by scoring 8.5 out of 9 points. This victory marked her second triumph in the Grand Prix series and earned her the title of Woman FIDE Master (her Elo rating surpassed 2100). The silver medal went to Ogulsuray Bayrambayeva, a student of the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, while Enesh Arazmedova claimed the bronze. Thus, the entire podium was taken by students of the capital’s chess and checkers school.
Open Category: The winner was Amanmuhammet Hommadov, a student of the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, who scored 8 points — his second victory in the current Grand Prix series. The bronze medal was won by Shahrukh Turaev after a tense Armageddon blitz match.
Established in 2025, the TCF Grand Prix Series has become a key instrument for promoting chess in the regions and discovering new talents. The next and final stage will take place in Turkmenbashi, where the winners will earn direct qualification to the 2026 Turkmenistan Premier League.
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