The fourth stage of the Turkmenistan Chess Federation Grand Prix concluded in Mary. Amanmukhammet Khommadov and Leyla Shokhradova emerged victorious. A total
of 141 chess players participated in the competition – 91 in the open category and 50 in the women’s category. The tournament was held using the Swiss system over nine rounds with a classic time control: 90 minutes per game for each player, with a 30-second increment per move. The tournament results are included in the FIDE international rating system.
Amanmukhammet Khommadov won the open category, scoring 8 points out of a possible 9. This is his second victory in the Grand Prix series – he previously won the Ashgabat stage. The reigning men’s Higher League champion, Vepaly Khalynyazov, took silver with 7 points. The bronze medal was determined in a blitz match. Shakhrukh Turaev and Shageldi Kurbandurdyev posted equal results in the main tournament, including a draw in their head-to-head encounter. After two blitz games with a 1-1 score, the winner emerged in the deciding Armageddon game, where Turaev, playing the white pieces, prevailed.
In the women’s category, Leyla Shokhradova secured a convincing victory, scoring 8.5 points out of 9. Following this performance, her ELO rating exceeded 2100, earning her the title of FIDE Women’s Master. Shokhradova also won the Dashoguz stage with a score of 9 out of 9. Silver and bronze were won by Ogulsurai Bayrambaeva (7 points) and Enesh Arazmedova, who lost second place on tiebreaks.
The Chess Federation of Turkmenistan established the Grand Prix series for the first time in 2025. The next, final stage will be held in Turkmenbashi, followed by the final games in Ashgabat. The winners will receive direct berths to the 2026 Turkmenistan Premier League.
