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The capital of Turkmenistan is preparing to host a major international youth sports competition aimed at encouraging intellectual athletics among children. In mid-August, the Exhibition Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ashgabat will serve as the venue for the prestigious chess event. The tournament is designed as a highlight of the broader business and sports program for an international children's exposition.
Sanctioned under official FIDE regulations, the championship will feature rapid and blitz matches across the U8, U10, and U12 age categories. Young players representing more than 15 countries—including delegations from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Iran—will convene to compete for top honors.
Beyond the competitive rounds, the event serves as a platform for global engagement within the chess community. Grandmasters, national champions, and official representatives from Japan, Turkey, Jordan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other nations will gather in Ashgabat. The program incorporates interactive masterclasses, public play areas, and educational workshops tailored for both participants and visitors.
The initiative is organized through a partnership involving the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, the International School Chess Federation, the Chess Association of Turkic States, and the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan along with regional partners. The event is expected to significantly enhance youth chess development and foster international sports and educational collaboration.


Financial Disagreements Derail Anticipated Heavyweight Bout Between Usyk and Wilder
Today in 04:59The highly anticipated heavyweight showdown between former undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk and former WBC titleholder Deontay Wilder has officially been canceled. Both camps had initially aimed to stage the blockbuster bout in the spring of 2027, generating immense excitement among boxing enthusiasts worldwide. However, negotiations between the prominent boxing stars ultimately collapsed behind closed doors.
According to prominent sports journalist Mike Coppinger and insider sources, the breakdown in talks stemmed directly from unresolved financial disputes and disagreements over purse splits. Negotiations were reportedly halted roughly three weeks ago after both sides failed to reach a mutually beneficial commercial agreement. As a result, the Ukrainian champion is currently left without a scheduled opponent, and his promotional team is not actively engaged in talks for an alternative match.
Meanwhile, rumors have surfaced regarding Deontay Wilder's potential next steps inside the squared circle. Reports indicate that Wilder has reached out to cruiserweight standout Jai Opetaia, attempting to entice him into a December 11 fight card. Speculation suggests Wilder hopes to position this high-profile matchup as a co-feature ahead of the eagerly awaited heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.