The Balkan Stage Determined the Finalists of the Turkmenistan Chess Grand Prix
From December 3rd to 7th, the Balkan stage of the Turkmenistan Chess Federation Grand Prix series, the key tournament that finally determined the participants for the December finals, took place in Turkmenbashi. The stage was one of the most representative: 138 chess players from all regions of the country competed for rating points and the right to qualify for the main tournament of the year.
The competition was held according to the Swiss system, with nine rounds and a classical time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move, starting from the first. The tournament included the awarding of FIDE international ratings.
Results of the Balkan stage
Women's Category
• Leyla Shokhradova - 8 points out of 9
• Ogulsurai Bayrambaeva - 7 out of 9
• Nurana Soyunova - 7 out of 9
Open Category
• Mergen Kakabaev - 7.5 out of 9
• Shageldi Kurbandurdyev - 7 out of 9
• Sanjar Gaibullaev - 7 out of 9
Detailed results from the Balkan Velayat stage can be found at the following link: https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1284074.aspx?lan=11&art=1&rd=9&fed=TKM&SNode=S0
The final stage is the decisive chord of the season
The Grand Prix Final will be held in Ashgabat from December 13 to 21, using the Olympic system (playoffs), adding extra intrigue. Its winners will receive not only prestigious titles but also the most valuable prize of the series—direct tickets to the 2026 Turkmenistan Premier League.
The Grand Prix series, held in the country for the first time this year, is of particular importance for the development of chess: it provides chess players in all regions with an accessible opportunity to regularly gain tournament practice without having to travel to other cities and creates conditions for the country's strongest players to compete in different regions, giving local athletes the chance to compete against them. Thus, this new format tournament helps identify young talents at an early stage of their development, and for experienced chess players, it serves as additional motivation and an effective pathway to the Turkmenistan Premier League.
