Vepa Myalikgulyyev has been re-elected as Chairman of the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan for a new four-year term. The decision was made at an elective general meeting held on October 31 at the Specialized Chess and Draughts School in Ashgabat.

The meeting was attended by delegates from all the velayats and the capital, as well as coaches, athletes, and parents of young chess players. Mergen Kakabayev was re-elected as General Secretary of the federation. The delegates also elected a Presidium and an Audit Commission for a new term and approved the federation’s membership in the Turkic Chess Association (TCA).

Results of four years

According to Myalikgulyev’s report, the number of federation members grew from 60 to 1,3 thousand between 2022 and 2026. A total of 410 tournaments with FIDE-rated results were held, and the number of active, rated chess players increased from 8 to 389. Women accounted for 26% of the players registered with FIDE.

At the 45th World Chess Olympiad in Budapest in 2024, the Turkmenistan men’s team won gold in category B, while the women’s team took gold in category C. At the 46th Olympiad in Samarkand in 2026, the women’s team finished second in category B. The number of grandmasters increased from five to eight, with M. Annaberdiyev, Y. Atabayev, and S. Atabayev earning the title.

Young chess players won 41 medals at international competitions in 2025 and at least 58 in 2026. Two international tournaments were held in Ashgabat, including the Kids Expo Chess Cup 2026, which featured 94 chess players from eight countries. The delegates unanimously approved the report.

Plans through 2030

Myalikgulyyev presented seven strategic areas for the development of chess in the country through 2030: governance and digitalization, the coaching staff, chess in schools, domestic competitions, the national team, financial sustainability, and the federation’s brand.

New initiatives include a digital platform being developed in collaboration with the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, a "Young Coach" program, coach certification, and a National School League, with a pilot project scheduled for 2027–2028. State-funded international travel will be allocated as follows: 25% for adult national teams and 75% for age-group categories ranging from U6 to U20.

"The goal for the next four years is not just to keep pace with the region, but to become one of its leaders and compete on equal terms at the global level," stated Myalikgulyyev, referring to the state of chess in Central Asia.

Based on these areas of focus, the Federation’s Presidium will prepare and publish a detailed development strategy. Proposals from coaches regarding the development of the coaching staff and domestic competitions will be reviewed by the Presidium and the Coaches’ Council.