The Turkmen team is participating in the first Chess Olympiad among Turkic countries, which is being held from May 13 to 18 in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The Turkmenistan team includes 14 of its best athletes.
Teams from six member countries of the Turkic Chess Association are participating in the Olympiad: Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan. Kazakhstan, as the host country, sent two teams. Totally 7 teams competed.
Teams in the open and women’s categories consist of four players and one reserve. Teams in the under-16 category consist of four players. After two rounds, the Turkmenistan women’s team is in first place.
General Director of the Turkmenistan Chess Federation M. Kakabaev:
“We are paying great attention to the development of children’s and youth chess, cultivating a new generation of future champions, and working to improve the international ratings of our athletes. Before 2022, there were fewer than 100 athletes with a FIDE rating in Turkmenistan. Currently, there are approximately 500. Looking ahead, we plan to develop a second tier of players within our team, as we believe that healthy competition should result in an equally strong lineup without elite, ‘irreplaceable’ players”.
Chairman of the Turkmenistan Chess Federation Vepa Myalikgulyev is participating in working meetings and discussions on the strategic development of the Turkic Chess Association, organized as part of the Olympiad.
As a reminder, on October 20, 2025, in Astana, the chess federations of Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum establishing the Turkic Chess Association (TCA). Membership in the TCA opens the possibility of participating in regular joint tournaments, expanding the competition calendar and providing Turkmen chess players with more high-level practice. Participation in the TCA will also contribute to the improvement of players’ skills and the growth of their FIDE ratings.
Tournament results also can be found at the following links:
https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1396849.aspx
https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1396892.aspx?lan=1&art=0&SNode=S0
