A schoolgirl from the Mary region, candidate for FIDE master Byagul Ezizova, won the First League of the Turkmenistan Women's Chess Championship. The tournament was held for the first time outside the capital, namely at the 4th sports school in Dashoguz, from February 11 to 17.

A two-time world champion among schoolgirls under 7 and 9 years old (in 2013 in Greece and 2014 in Brazil, respectively), Byagul participated in the first league of the women's championship for the first time after a long break in her playing career and was immediately able to win, scoring 9 points out of 11 possible.

Half a point behind Byagul were candidate FIDE master among women Leila Shohradova and student of the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Education and Sports Jennet Durdyeva, who took 2nd and 3rd places, respectively, in additional parameters.

National champion among girls under 14 years old, Jahan Rejepova (Lebap), multiple winner of the Turkmenistan championships in various age categories, 17-year-old Enesh Arazmedova (Ashgabat), and an experienced coach from the city of Farab, Maral Rozyeva, scored 7.5 points each. According to additional indicators, Jahan took 4th place, and Enesh took 5th place.

Much was expected from the silver medalist of the last year's Asian Championship among schoolgirls under 15, Gulmira Seilkhanova, however, having annoyingly mixed up moves in a simple situation in the endgame of an almost won game in the last round against Maral Rozyeva, she was defeated and lost her ticket to the Major League.

The tournament, in which 52 chess players from all regions of the country took part, was held according to the Swiss system in 11 rounds. The winners were awarded a cup, medals, diplomas, valuable prizes and gift certificates from the “DZ Burgerhouse” restaurant.

Also the winners of the best results in the categories under 12 and 18 years old (Jumasoltan Muhammetberdiyeva from Mary and Agamuradova Myahri from Turkmenabat, respectively), the youngest participant Enejan Charygeldyeva (Lebap) were awarded.

The prize for the most beautiful game was given to Gulmira Seilkhanova for her victory in the 7th round confrontation against the future winner Byagul Ezizova.

Particularly noteworthy is the winner of the “For the Will to Win” prize, Dunyagozel Rejepmuradova, who, despite movement restrictions, travels from the Kunyaurgench district to Dashoguz almost every week to participate in chess competitions.

Based on the results of the First League, the five best players qualified for the Major League of the Turkmenistan Championship among women in 2024. At the final stage of the national championship, which will be held in Ashgabat from March 3 to 17 in a two-round round robin system, eight of the country's strongest chess players will fight for the champion title and entry into the national women's team.

The Chess Federation of Turkmenistan recalled that three winners of the last year’s Major League – Lala Shohradova, Meryem Agadzhanova and Ogulsurai Bayrambaeva – have already received the right to play in this year’s Major League.

The main start of this year for the country's women's chess team will be the World Chess Olympiad, which will be held in Budapest, Hungary, in September.

Tournament statistics are available at the following link: chess-results.com.

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