Leyla Shohradova, a student in the language training department of the International university of oil and gas named after Yagshygeldi Kakayev, and Amanmuhammet Hommadov, a second-year student at the Turkmen state institute of physical education and sports, won the final stage of the Grand-prix series of the Chess federation of Turkmenistan (CFT), which concluded in Ashgabat, the Golden age electronic newspaper reports.
The tournament brought together 32 chess players − 16 in the open category and 16 in the category of women− who competed in a single-elimination format. The competition was held using the FIDE international rating system. The winners of the final stage not only won prestigious titles but also the main prize of series − direct berths in the 2026 Turkmenistan Higher league.
Leyla Shohradova confidently dominated the category of women, avoiding tiebreaks. She defeated all her opponents in the main classical sets, drawing only once against Jennet Yalkanova in the semi-finals.
The silver medalist was 4th year student Ogulsuray Bayrambayeva from the Turkmen state institute of physical education and sports.
G. Seyilhanova, a 12th-grade student at the 41st specialised secondary school in Turkmenabat, had to show character at almost every stage of the tournament. Gulmira reached the match for third place and won it thanks to nerves of steel, as she had to play additional rapid and blitz games due to equal results in classical games in all matches except the 1/8 finals.
Amanmuhammet Hommadov confidently won the open category tournament and earned the right to participate in the 2026 Higher league, where, according to many chess experts, he will be considered one of the main favourites for gold.
The silver medal went to the head coach of the Turkmenistan national team of the women, Shahruh Turayev, who also demonstrated a very high level of skill, losing only to the tournament winner.
Shageldi Kurbandurdyyev, an 11th-grade student at secondary school № 31 in the Danev district of the Lebap region, won bronze, confidently defeating Azym Saryyev in the match for third place.
