From December 3 to 7, the city of Turkmenbashi in the Balkan region hosted the Balkan stage of Turkmenistan’s Chess Grand Prix, organized by the national Chess Federation. The results of this competition determined who will participate in the decisive final stage scheduled for later in December. This event became one of the most attended, with 138 players from all provinces competing for rating points and qualification to the season’s main tournament.

The competition followed a nine-round Swiss system with classical time control: 90 minutes from the first move plus a 30-second increment per move. The event was rated by FIDE and contributed to players’ international rankings.

Results of the Balkan Stage

Women’s Category
• Leyla Shohradova — 8/9
• Ogulsurai Bairambaeva — 7/9
• Nurana Soyunova — 7/9

Open Category
• Mergen Kakabayev — 7.5/9
• Shageldi Gurbandurdyyev — 7/9
• Sanjar Gaibullayev — 7/9

Full results can be viewed via the official tournament link.

Final Stage: The Season’s Decisive Battle

The concluding stage of the Grand Prix will take place in Ashgabat on December 13–21 and will be held in an Olympic (playoff) format, increasing the excitement of the competition. Winners will not only earn prestigious titles and awards but also secure direct qualification to the 2026 Turkmenistan Higher League.

This year marks the first time the Grand Prix has been organized in the country, and it already plays a significant role in the development of chess: it allows players from all regions to participate in continuous competitive practice without leaving their provinces while enabling top players to compete across the country and support local talent. The new format reveals young promising players early and provides additional motivation for experienced ones, serving as a strong pathway to the Higher League.