The opening of the Turkmenistan team chess championship, a landmark event marking a new stage in the development of this intellectual sport in the country, took place in Ashgabat. The tournament, which is held in a round-robin system, is hosted by the specialised chess and draughts school of the capital.

The peculiarity of the current championship lies in its historical significance: the team competition is being held for the first time since the independence of the country. This was made possible thanks to comprehensive efforts to popularise chess and support sports initiatives at the state level.

12 teams representing leading sports schools, higher education institutions, departmental structures and public organisations are competing for the title of the strongest chess team in the country:

1. «AŞGABAT» − specialised chess and draughts school.

2. «ÝAŞLYK» − specialised chess and draughts school in Ashgabat.

3. «NESIL» − specialised chess and draughts school in Ashgabat.

4. «RUHUBELENT» − Sports club for the disabled in Ashgabat and Ahal velayat.

5. «BAGTYÝARLYK» − Centre of national sports games of Turkmenistan.

6. «AHAL» − Committee for sports and physical culture of the Ahal velayat.

7. «LEBAPCHESS-1» − Committee on sports and physical culture of Lebap velayat.

8. «LEBAPCHESS-2» − Committee on sports and physical culture of Lebap velayat.

9. «GALKAN» − Sports club of the Ministry of internal affairs of Turkmenistan.

10. «TALYP SPORT» − Turkmen state institute of physical culture and sports.

11. «KÜŞT ÄLEMI» − Chess Academy.

12. «PETRO-CANADA» − IE «Halk Hazyna».

The team format of the competition introduces a unique strategic component to the game: here, the outcome depends not only on the skill of individual players, but also on the collective tactics and cohesion of the participants.

The championship is intended to promote:

• Strengthening national chess traditions;

• Identifying the most promising teams to represent the country on the international stage;

• Increasing interest in chess among young people.

This tournament is expected to become traditional and lay a solid foundation for the further systematic development of team chess in Turkmenistan.