One of the most significant tournaments on the national chess calendar, the Turkmenistan Chess Federation Cup, concluded in Ashgabat. It held from October 19 to 27, 2025, at the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School. The tournament brought together the country’s strongest chess players and became a true celebration of intellect and skill.
After a tense battle, Master of Sports Vepaly Khalynyazov, a student at the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering, achieved a well-deserved victory. Scoring 9 points out of a possible 11, Vepaly, a graduate of the Lebap Chess School and currently studying at the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School, confidently took first place and increased his rating by 22.2 points, cementing his status as one of the leaders in national chess.
A half-step behind the champion was Akhmet Gubatayev, a student at the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Education and Sports, who took second place with 8.5 points out of a possible 11, improving his rating by 20.6 points. Akhmet is also a student at the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School.
Third place went to Amanmukhammet Khommadov, also from the same institute, who finished the tournament with 8.5 points out of a possible 11, placing among the top three, improving his rating by 3.6 points. Amanmukhammet is also a student at the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School.
Best among Girls
In the women’s competition, Leyla Shokhradova, a student at the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas, representing the Lebap region, excelled. She scored 7.5 points out of 11 and confidently took first place among the girls. Leyla is also a student at the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School.
Second place went to Gulmira Seyilkhanova, a student at Specialized School No. 41 in Turkmenabat, and third place went to Jahan Rejepova, a promising 15-year-old chess player also from the Lebap velayat and a member of the Turkmenistan women’s national team.
Qualifications to the 2026 Turkmenistan Premier League
In addition to medals, the main tournament of the Federation Cup (Category A) also awarded qualifications to the 2026 Turkmenistan Premier League. These qualifications were won by Akhmet Gubatayev and Leyla Shokhradova, as Vepaly Khalynyazov already qualified for the Premier League.
Category B Tournament
A Category B tournament was held in parallel, featuring players with ratings below 1700. The winner, Zalina Iminova, a student of the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School, scored 8 points out of 11. Nurana Serdarova, also with 8 points, took second place, while Jasmine Rakhmedova won bronze. Nurana is also a student of the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School.
After the classical tournament concluded on October 25, rapid and blitz competitions were held, lasting until October 27.
Rapid A Results:
- Mergen Kakabayev
- Nedir Sylyev
- Amanmukhammet Khommadov
Rapid B Results:
- Azimgeldi Japarov, a student of the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School.
- Mukam Akhmedov
- Zalina Iminova, student of the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School.
Blitz A Results:
- Maksat Atabayev
- Amanmukhammet Khommadov
- Akhmet Gubatayev
Blitz B Results:
- Abdyrahim Ovganov
- Soyench Khodjayev, student of the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School.
- Akhmet Janbekov
81 chess players participated in the Category A tournament, and 363 in Category B, a clear indicator of the growing interest in chess in the country.
