One of the most significant tournaments on the national chess calendar, the Turkmenistan Chess Federation Cup, concluded in Ashgabat. It took place from October 19th to 27th at the capital's 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, emerged victorious. Scoring 9 points out of a possible 11, Vepaly, a graduate of the Lebap Chess School and currently studying at the Specialized Ashgabat 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.

Akhmet Gubatayev, a student at the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Education and Sports, finished just half a step behind the champion, taking second place with 8.5 points out of a possible 11. He improved his rating by 20.6 points. Akhmet is also a student at the Ashgabat Chess and Checkers School.

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. He improved his rating by 20.6 points. Akhmet is also a student at the Ashgabat 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 and entered the top three, improving his rating by 3.6 points. Amanmukhammet is also a student at the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School.

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 Specialized Chess and Checkers School in Ashgabat.

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.

In addition to medals, the main tournament of the Federation Cup (Category A) also awarded tickets to the 2026 Turkmenistan Premier League. These tickets were won by Akhmet Gubatayev and Leyla Shokhradova, as Vepaly Khalynyazov already qualified for the Premier League.

A Category B tournament was held concurrently, featuring players with ratings below 1700. The winner, Zalina Iminova, a student at the Ashgabat Specialized Chess and Checkers School, won with 8 points out of 11. Nurana Serdarova, also with 8 points, came in second, while Jasmine Rakhmedova, a student at the Ashgabat Chess and Checkers School, won bronze.

Following the conclusion of the classical tournament on October 25, the Rapid and Blitz competitions continued until October 27.

Rapid A Results:

1. Mergen Kakabayev
2. Nedir Sylyev
3. Amanmukhammet Khommadov

Rapid B Results:

1. Azimgeldi Dzhaparov
2. Mukam Akhmedov
3. Zalina Iminova

Blitz A Results:

1. Maksat Atabayev
2. Amanmukhammet Khommadov
3. Akhmet Gubatayev

Blitz B Results:

1. Abdyrahim Ovganov
2. Soyench Khodjayev
3. Akhmet Dzhanbekov

81 players participated in the Category A tournament, and 363 in Category B, a clear indicator of the growing interest in chess in the country.