Eight participants will compete in the top league for the title of Turkmenistan Chess Champion, which will take place in Ashgabat from March 3 to 17 using a round-robin system in two rounds. The composition of the contenders for the women's chess crown was determined based on the results of the first league tournament, which was held for the first time outside the capital - at the 4th sports school in the city of Dashoguz.

A total of 52 chess players from all the velayats competed for five spots in the top league, playing 11 rounds using the Swiss system.

The tournament was won by Byagul Ezizova, 17-year-old Woman Candidate Master FIDE. It is noteworthy that this talented chess player had previously won twice at the World Championships for schoolgirls under 7 and 9 years old (in Greece in 2013 and in Brazil in 2014, respectively). In the first league championship, she participated for the first time after a long break in her playing career and immediately managed to win, scoring 9 out of 11 possible points.

Byagul Ezizova is a student in the 11th grade at the 25th secondary school of Turkmengala etrap, Mary velayat. She plays chess under the guidance of her father Jumamukhammet Ezizov.

Half a point behind Byagul were Leyla Shokhradova, Woman Candidate Master FIDE, and Jennet Durdyeva, a student of the Turkmen State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, who took 2nd and 3rd places, respectively, based on additional criteria.

Jahangir Rejepova (Lebap), the champion of the country among girls under 14, 17-year-old Enesh Arazmedova (Ashgabat), the multiple prize-winner of Turkmenistan championships in various age categories, and Maral Rozyeva, experienced coach from the city of Farap, scored 7.5 points each. Based on additional criteria, Jahangir took 4th place, while Enesh ended up in 5th place.

Much was expected from Gulmira Seyilkhanova, the silver medalist of last year's Asian Championship among schoolgirls under 15. However, unfortunately, she made a regrettable mistake in a simple situation in the endgame of the almost won game in the final round against Maral Rozyeva, and suffered a defeat, losing her spot in the top league.

The winners were awarded the Cup, medals, diplomas, valuable prizes and gift certificates from the "DZ Burgerhouse" restaurant. Also awarded were the holders of the best results in the categories under 12 and 18 years old, Jumasoltan Mukhammetberdiyeva from Mary and Myakhri Agamyradova from Turkmenabat, respectively, as well as the youngest participant, 7-year-old Enejan Charygeldiyeva, a student in the 2nd grade of the 140th specialized secondary school in Ashgabat.

Gulmira Seyilkhanova received the prize for the most beautiful game for her victory in the 7th round against the future champion Byagul Ezizova. It is worth noting the recipient of the "For the Will to Win" prize, Dunyagozel Rejepmyradova, who, despite movement restrictions, overcame the journey from Kunyaurgench etrap to Dashoguz almost every week to participate in chess competitions.

As previously reported, the top five female chess players from the first league have qualified for the top league of the Turkmenistan Championship 2024. The other three participants, Lala Shokhradova, Meriem Agajanova and Ogulsuray Bayrambayeva, had already achieved this right by becoming prize-winners in the previous year's top league.

The results of the top league of the Turkmenistan Championship will determine the composition of the women's national team for the World Chess Olympiad, which will take place in September this year in Budapest, Hungary.