A Chess Palace is being built in Tursunzoda, a city in western Tajikistan, known for its aluminum smelting plant. 

Chess had developed in the city until the early 2000s and representative of Tursunzoda had always been among the prize-winners and winners of republican chess competitions.

Several chess clubs for children and adults had operated in the city and the Tajik Aluminum Company (TALCO) had regularly conducted chess competitions among the aluminum smelter workers. 

However, subsequently the local authorities stopped paying due attention to the development of chess in the city and all subsequent initiatives to revive chess in Tursunzoda have been in vain.

Meanwhile, local entrepreneur Shavkat Madrahimov has promised to revive good traditions and stated that his Sardor-2008 Limited Liability Company will finance construction of two chess classes in the new Chess Palace, according to the Tursunzoda administration.  

It is to be noted that the Chess Palace is one of jubilee facilities being built in Tursunzoda on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence and the 110th birthday of known Tajik poet Mirzo Tursunzoda.

In all, 382 jubilee facilities are expected to be built in Tursunzoda on occasion of the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence, which will be celebrated in the country on September 9, 2021.