The lineup for the Women's Higher League of the Turkmenistan Chess Championship 2026 has been finalized, featuring eight players competing for the national title. The event will occur in Ashgabat from February 2 to 11 as a double round-robin tournament. Qualifications stemmed from a recent First League tournament won by 12-year-old sensation Dilber Hupbyeva.
The Women's Higher League of the Turkmenistan Chess Championship 2026 will see eight players vie for the title of Women's Chess Champion of Turkmenistan. Scheduled in Ashgabat from February 2 to 11, the tournament adopts a double round-robin format, ensuring each participant faces every other twice.
The qualifiers were selected based on the First League tournament, which wrapped up at the capital's specialized chess and draughts school. Twenty-seven female chess players from across all velayats contested four spots in an 11-round Swiss system event.
The competition concluded dramatically, with 12-year-old Dilber Hupbyeva from Dashoguz velayat emerging as the youngest First League champion in history. She scored 8.5 out of 11 points with a FIDE rating of 1780, signaling her potential for the national Olympic team in 2026. Myahri Agamyradova from Lebap velayat also tallied 8.5 points and a FIDE rating of 1884 but took second on tiebreaks after displaying consistent high-level play.
Ayshe Gubataeva, a student at Magtymguly Turkmen State University from Ashgabat, secured third with 8 points and a FIDE rating of 1878, affirming her experience. Myahrijemal Gurbangeldiyeva from Ashgabat claimed the fourth spot with 7.5 points and a FIDE rating of 1851.
Joining these leaders in the elite division are Jahan Rejepova (FIDE 1985), the 2025 Higher League champion; Gulmira Seyilkhanova (FIDE 1914), qualified through the Turkmenistan Chess Federation Cup; Ogulsuray Bayrambaeva (FIDE 1945), vice-champion of the Turkmenistan Grand Prix series; and Lala Shohradova (FIDE 2089), admitted by rating.
The Higher League outcomes will shape the women's national team for the 46th World Chess Olympiad in September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.