On 22 December, The Ashgabat Chess Center recently hosted the grand finale of the Turkmenistan Chess Federation (TCF) Grand Prix series, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s sporting calendar. Held from December 13 to 21, the tournament utilized a high-stakes Olympic (playoff) system, delivering a week of intense strategic battles and dramatic upsets.
The Grand Prix series, introduced for the first time this year, represents a strategic shift in developing domestic talent. By decentralizing the qualifying stages, the TCF has provided athletes across all provinces (welayats) with elite-level practice without the logistical burden of constant travel.
The final brought together 32 of the nation’s top players—16 in the Open category and 16 in the Women’s category. Beyond the prestige, the winners secured direct berths into the 2026 Turkmenistan Higher League, the pinnacle of national chess competition.
Women’s Category: Prowess and Persistence
The women’s division saw a display of both clinical precision and remarkable resilience.
* 1st Place: Leyla Shohradova. A student at the International University of Oil and Gas, Shohradova dominated the field. She secured the gold without needing a single tie-break, winning every match in classical time controls, with her only draw coming against Jennet Yalkanova in the semi-finals.
* 2nd Place: Ogulsuray Bayrambayeva. The 4th-year student from the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports fought a tough path to the final, notably overcoming Gulmira Seyilhanova in a high-pressure rapid tie-break during the semi-finals.
* 3rd Place: Gulmira Seyilhanova. The 12th-grade student from Turkmenabat became the “marathon runner” of the tournament. Known for her “iron nerves,” Seyilhanova lost her opening classical game in almost every round, only to fight back the following day and win in rapid or blitz tie-breaks to secure the bronze.
Open Category: Rising Stars and Veteran Mastery
The Open category featured a blend of young prodigies and experienced mentors, producing some of the season’s biggest surprises.
* 1st Place: Amanmuhammet Hommadov. A sophomore at the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, Hommadov’s flawless performance has led experts to name him a primary favorite for the 2026 Higher League gold.
* 2nd Place: Shahruh Turayev. In an inspiring display of “leading by example,” the Head Coach of the National Women’s Team took the silver medal. His participation underscores a commitment to maintaining professional standards even while mentoring the next generation.
* 3rd Place: Shahgeldi Kurbandurdyev. The 11th-grader from Danev district caused the sensation of the tournament by eliminating Mergen Kakabayev—who had won 3 of the 5 preliminary stages—in the quarter-finals. He eventually secured bronze with a decisive win over Azim Saryev.
The TCF Grand Prix has proven to be an effective mechanism for identifying young talent and providing a transparent pathway to the professional leagues. As the international FIDE-rated event concludes, the focus now shifts to the 2026 season, where these champions will test their mettle against the elite of the Higher League.
