From January 18th to 24th, the Turkmenistan Chess Championship (League I) is being held at the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School.
The national competition system consists of three divisions:
the Major League (top division), the First League (second division), and the Second League (third division). All of these divisions are held under the general name “Turkmenistan Championship,” but the current tournament belongs specifically to the First League. The Major League competition is scheduled for February.
The primary objective of the First League is to qualify the strongest chess players for the Major League. Furthermore, the tournament is an important platform for improving ratings and gaining competitive experience. Only highly rated and experienced players with sporting ranks and titles participate in the competition. Newcomers compete in the Second League. Given its composition, the First League is now rightfully considered an elite tournament. 81 chess players are participating in the championship:
— 27 in the women’s category;
— 54 in the open category.
The open category is effectively a men’s category, but the Federation traditionally allows the strongest female chess players who already have guaranteed spots in the Women’s Premier League to participate. This decision was made to enhance their playing experience and ranking by competing against men.
The Turkmenistan Chess Federation consistently supports inclusivity in sports. Blind athletes are also participating in the tournament. All necessary conditions have been created for their participation. All participants meet the selection requirements—candidate masters of sport and above. The rules and conditions of participation are the same for everyone.
As chess expert Mergen Kakabaev noted, the tournament promises to be very strong and competitive:
“The First League features both promising young masters and experienced chess players. Among the participants are International Master Karen Grigoryan, the most experienced player in this division, and Shakhrukh Turaev, head coach of the Turkmenistan women’s team. This lineup confirms the high level of the competition.” The open category also features the country’s leading female chess players: the Shokhradov sisters, the current girls’ champion, Dzahana Rejepova, and Ogulsuray Bayrambaeva, who finished second in the previous season of the Higher League.
In the women’s category, it’s noteworthy that the majority of participants are under 20 years old. This clearly reflects the growth and development of youth chess in the country. With the exception of a few experienced players, young players who began their careers at an early age are fighting for the championship title.
“It’s extremely difficult to make predictions in the women’s league—the competition is very fierce,” emphasized chess expert and Secretary General of the Turkmenistan Chess Federation, FIDE Master Mergen Kakabaev.
The Turkmenistan Championship (League I) will run until January 24.
