Ashgabat Has Formed a National Team for the First Turkic U16 Chess Olympiad
The Ashgabat Chess School has completed a qualifying marathon to determine the national team for a historic event—the first Chess Olympiad among Turkic countries (U16). The tournament in the capital was more than just a qualifier; it was a clear demonstration of how the Turkmen chess school is becoming younger.
Children aged 12-14 also confidently made it onto the U16 team, confirming the effectiveness of the youth chess development strategy launched by the new federation in 2022.
The performance of Dilber Khupbyeva (born 2014) from Dashoguz was a real sensation. The 11-year-old competed equally in the open junior category and took a high fourth place, securing a spot on the national team. Along with her, Ali Akhmedov, Akhmet Artykov, Gurbanmyrat Rustemov and the best among the girls, Zalina Iminova, will defend the honor of the country in Kazakhstan's Turkestan (May 13–18).
The first-ever Turkic Chess Olympiad (U16), which will be held from May 13 to 18 in Turkestan, Kazakhstan, is also expected to feature the strongest young chess players from Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.
Participation in the upcoming Olympiad is a practical result of Turkmenistan's accession to the newly established Turkic Chess Association (TCA). The memorandum, signed in October 2025, is already bearing fruit. The competition calendar is expanding, allowing our players to consistently gain FIDE points. A prime example is Gurbanmyrat Rustemov, who immediately gained 73.6 points after his December visit to Gaziantep, Turkey.
While the juniors will compete in Turkestan, the adult Turkmen teams will travel to Almaty. These competitions will serve as a dress rehearsal for the year's main event—the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.
TCA membership opens a window of opportunity for Turkmen chess, turning each regional tournament into a stepping stone to global recognition.
