On August 19–20, Ashgabat will host the Kids Expo-Chess Cup 2026 international chess tournament for the first time—a rapid and blitz competition for young players in the U8, U10, and U12 categories from more than 15 countries. The tournament will be part of the business and sports program of the "KIDS EXPO: Everything for Children" international trade fair, which will take place in the Turkmen capital from August 19 to 22.

Young athletes from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and other countries will face off at the chessboard. The competitions will be held according to the rules of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

In addition to the child participants, representatives of international and national chess federations, grandmasters, and champions from Türkiye, Jordan, Cambodia, Nepal, Pakistan, Japan, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Libya will arrive in Ashgabat. The organizers intend for this to bring together young chess players, professional players, and representatives of the international chess community at a single venue to exchange experience and foster connections in the field of youth chess.

An additional program has also been prepared for exhibition participants and guests, featuring a free-play area, workshops, educational activities, presentations, and a chess quiz. A dedicated set of events is planned for educators, coaches, and organizers of chess programs interested in the development of youth chess.

The tournament is organized and supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, the International School Chess Federation (ISCF), the Turkic Chess Association (TCA), the Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) program of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, the Chess Federation of Turkmenistan, and TurkmenExpo.

The tournament will take place at the Exhibition Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and will be the first official international chess competition organized in the country.