Biography

Hello, my name is Babakuli (first name) Annakov. I am the first Grandmaster of Turkmenistan (former Soviet Republic). Here you can learn about my tournament results, commentaries on selected recent events, and details about my career as a chess teacher and a player.

I was born 1972. I started playing chess at the age of 6, but became seriously interested in the game at 10. My first trainer was Hakimov Shakir, who worked with me until my enrollment in chess boarding school in Moscow in 1985. This unique chess institution became a critical point in careers of many famous chess players, such as Bareev, Morozevich, Galljamova, Yurtaev, Shipov, Alexei Kuzmin , Anna Ahsharumova, Yuri Dohojan, and many others.

Among the wonderful teachers of the school were Mihail Yudovich, Rudolf Kimelfeld and Iosif Berezin. I'm deeply greatful to those people who over six years helped me develop as a chess player and a person.

In 1991 I enrolled in the chess department of the Institute of Physical Education (now Academy of Physical Culture and Sport) in Moscow. This is the only academic department in the world that prepares high level chess teachers. Chess department of this institute have a long and rich history with graduates such as Smyslov, Bologan, Morozevich and others.

In 1992 I became a silver medalist of Turkmenistan Championship and won an honour of representing my country at the World Chess Olympiad and at World Junior Championship in Buenos-Aires. I also made many good friends at that championship with people, such as G. Veskovi and Egger. Earning my first IM norm at Ufa in 1993 was particularly memorable. I had a poor start, but managed to win the remaining 6 games in a row to achieve the norm in a field of very strong players, such as A.Fedorov, V.Jandemirov, V.Golod and others. Photo finishes give important psychological confidence for the future competition. This combined with growing experience made conquering the remaining two norms much easier.

In 1994 I entered a graduate program in chess department of the Institute, while remaining active in chess tournaments (GM norm earned in 1997). Myself and the head of chess department, E.P. Linovitskii have done extensive work in developing tools for chess education. Over 40 Grandmasters contributed their ideas to the project concerning the questions of chess strategy and tactics which were summarised in a teaching supplement for our institute.

Since 1998 I became actively involved in teaching chess over internet. Internet helps bring benefits of my research to students around the world. I give live lessons at Internet Chess Club as well as offer game analysis by Email. Teaching over internet has brought me in contact with many interesting people and lay foundation for my trips abroad to visit my students and friends in real life.

I moved to the USA 2000. Here is some my results during my stay in USA:

• Co-Winner of World open 2003 in PA
• Winner of Foxwoods open 2000
• 3 times TX state champion
• 2 times Southwest open winner
• TX masters 2004

I am also chess coach in following schools in Dallas Fort-Worth area:

• St Marks school, Hockaday
• Dallas International school
• All Saints Episcopal school at Forth Worth
• Episcopal school of Dallas.

Resident of Frisco. Last 4 years in row my students representing USA at World Youth championships. For details please visit page Students success. 

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