Chess players from three Central Asian countries – Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan – have taken the lead after six rounds at the ongoing international chess tournament "Ashgabat 2025" in the Turkmen capital. A total of 129 athletes (70 boys and 59 girls) aged 8, 10, and 12 from 11 countries – Vietnam, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan – are competing for 12 sets of medals in rapid chess and blitz competitions.
The Turkmenistan team, as the host country, is represented by 81 participants (41 boys and 40 girls).
Competitions in both disciplines are conducted using the Swiss system in 9 rounds.
The first six sets of medals will be awarded in rapid chess, where each player is allocated 15 minutes per game with an additional 10 seconds for each move. Six rounds have already been completed in this program, with leaders emerging in each age category.
In the boys under 8 group, Charyhekim Charyev, representing the Ashgabat club "Kuşt Älemi," shares the lead with Sayfudin Erkinboev from Uzbekistan, both with 5 points out of 6 possible. They are followed by a group of 5 players from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, each with 4 points.
In the girls under 8 group, Zarina Larina (Uzbekistan) holds first place with 5.5 points out of 6. Amira Alemanova (Kazakhstan) and Byagul Jumaeva (Turkmenistan) are one point behind her.
Among boys under 10, our compatriot Maksat Avlyakulyev from Turkmenabat and Abdurahmon Rajabov from Uzbekistan share the lead with 5.5 points out of 6 possible. Alrami Mukashev from Kazakhstan occupies the third position, one point behind.
In the girls under 10 category, Lyale Vepaeva ("Kuşt Älemi," Turkmenistan) leads with 5 points. Zarina Nematzhonova (Uzbekistan) and Gunesh Bayramova from Turkmenabat are half a point behind her.
In the boys under 12 group, two-time Western Asia champion in this category Nurasyl Primbetov (Kazakhstan) holds first place with a perfect score (6 points out of 6). He is followed by Alikhan Batyrov from Mary with 5 points and three players with 4 points each from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
In the girls under 12 category, Dilber Hupbyeva from Dashoguz leads with 5.5 points. Aya Bayramova from Turkmenabat is half a point behind her. Malika Norkulova (Uzbekistan) and Dursunjemal Kullyeva (Turkmenistan) share 3rd and 4th places with 4 points each.
The winners and prize-winners in rapid chess will be determined after the remaining three rounds.
The international tournament "Ashgabat 2025" is organized by the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan and the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports as part of events dedicated to Ashgabat's status as the "The City of New Sports Opportunities of the Commonwealth."
