Young chess players from Turkmenistan delivered a successful performance at the 20th Asian Schools Chess Championship, held in Russia’s Tula Region, winning 2 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals. The Turkmenistan team, consisting of 11 athletes, secured a total of 10 medals.

According to the MilliInfo news outlet, the competition took place from October 2 to 10, 2026, under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and the Chess Federation of Russia.

The Turkmenistan team matched the record for the total number of medals won, which was set in 2019. The average of 0.91 medals per athlete was also described as the highest figure in the history of Turkmen schoolchildren’s performances at Asian championships.

Among the 12 countries participating in the competition, Turkmenistan placed fourth in the overall team standings. In terms of total medals, Turkmen chess players were surpassed only by the teams from Russia and Kazakhstan, placing among the top three countries by this measure.

Five Medals in Rapid Chess

Rapid chess proved to be the most successful discipline for the Turkmen athletes. In this format, the team won two gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

Bahar Jumayeva won gold among girls under seven, while Hangeldi Myradov took gold in the boys’ category of the same age group. Aya Bayramova won silver among girls under 13, and Bagul Jumayeva secured silver among girls under nine. Lyala Vepayeva claimed bronze among girls under 11.

Four Medals in Blitz Chess

The Turkmen chess players also performed successfully in blitz, a format played with an even faster time control. Bahar Jumayeva, Bagul Jumayeva and Charyhekim Charyyev won silver medals. Hangeldi Myradov took bronze.

In classical chess, Bahar Jumayeva, competing in the girls’ under-seven category, scored 6.5 points out of a possible 9 to win the bronze medal.

Bahar Jumayeva Wins Medals in All Three Formats

One of the standout athletes on the Turkmenistan team was seven-year-old Bahar Jumayeva from Lebap Region. She finished among the medal winners in all three disciplines, securing a complete set of medals: gold in rapid, silver in blitz and bronze in classical chess.

Asian Championship Medal Table

The top five countries in the final standings were as follows:

  • 1st place — Russia: 23 gold, 18 silver and 24 bronze medals; 65 medals in total.

  • 2nd place — Kazakhstan: 3 gold, 10 silver and 7 bronze medals; 20 medals in total.

  • 3rd place — India: 3 gold and 3 silver medals; 6 medals in total.

  • 4th place — Turkmenistan: 2 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals; 10 medals in total.

  • 5th place — Kyrgyzstan: 2 gold and 1 bronze medal; 3 medals in total.

According to Vepa Malikgulyyev, Chairman of the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan, the young athletes’ results at the international competition reflect the attention devoted to developing children’s and youth sports in the country, ensuring that talented chess players regularly participate in international tournaments, and hosting major chess competitions in Turkmenistan.

The Turkmen team’s 10-medal achievement once again demonstrated the international potential of the country’s young chess players. Bahar Jumayeva’s success in winning medals in all three disciplines and representing Lebap Region on the international sporting stage is particularly noteworthy.