The women's national team of Turkmenistan has entered the TOP 50 of the world ranking of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for the first time. The ranking is based on the average rating of the country's 10 best female chess players. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’.

In December 2022, the team was only in 105th place with a rating of 1528, and previously the team had been in the top 70. The new record was made possible due to a change in the coaching staff, stricter selection, systematic training and psychological support.

Under the guidance of head coach Shahruh Turayev, young talents have emerged. A particular success was the gold medal in category C at the 45th World Chess Olympiad in Budapest in September 2024, where the team finished 32nd in the overall standings. The training included training camps in Antalya with international coaches, including Grandmaster Vasily Ivanchuk.

The Turkmenistan Chess Federation sees these achievements as a foundation for further development. Plans include participation in international tournaments and preparation for the 2026 Olympiad in Samarkand with the aim of entering the top 40 teams in the world.