For the first time after a long break of eight years, Turkmenistan held a national chess championship among veterans, i.e. older players who have already turned 50 and 65 years old. This was reported by the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan

The championship was held in the specialized chess and checkers school of the city of Ashgabat.

The last time such a tournament was held was in 2016, and the legendary chess player, International Master Amanmurad Kakageldiyev, won it.

This time, the first two lines in the final table were occupied by the head coach of the physical education and sports club for the disabled in Ashgabat and Ahal velayat, Master of Sports Aydogdy Atabayev (52 years old, FIDE rating - 2086) and the coach of the specialized chess and checkers school of the city of Ashgabat, FIDE Master Serdarguly Bayramsahedov (56 years old, rating - 2216), who scored 7.5 points out of 9 possible.

According to additional indicators, the gold medal was won by the slightly younger Aydogdy Atabayev.

FIDE Master Mikhail Chommyev (62 years old, rating - 2160) was one point behind the leaders and took third place.

In the category of chess players over 65 years old, the competition was no less fierce. Four chess players, each with 4.5 points, were competing for the gold medal. As a result, the winner was 75-year-old candidate for master of sports from the Mary velayat, Halim Mayliyev (rating - 1924). The silver medal went to 79-year-old chess player from the Lebap velayat Chary Sultanov (1707), who was also awarded the prize "For the will to win" from one of the sponsors of the tournament. The top three in the senior category was closed by 71-year-old chess player from the Dashoguz velayat Myrat Yakubov (1739).

In the women's category "50+", the only participant in the tournament was in the lead - the head coach of the Lebap velayat, Guljahan Ovlyakuliyeva, who fought on par with men and scored 3.5 points.

The winners received the right to represent Turkmenistan at the World and Asian Championships among veterans over 50 and 65 years old.

The tournament, which was held according to the Swiss system in 9 rounds, was attended by 18 players.