Türkiye is positioning itself as a major player in European chess, thanks to its burgeoning youth talent and large-scale tournaments. European Chess Union President Zurab Azmaiparashvili praised the nation's progress during the Youth and Junior Chess Championships in Antalya. He highlighted 14-year-old grandmaster Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş as a prime example of its potential.
The European Chess Union (ECU) President Zurab Azmaiparashvili recently assessed Türkiye's growing stature in chess while attending the Türkiye Youth and Junior Chess Championships in Antalya. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, he emphasized the country's role in European chess, driven by its extensive youth programs and ability to host major events. 'Türkiye plays a very big role in European chess,' Azmaiparashvili said. 'The large-scale youth events held here are the clearest proof of that. If you follow the tournaments organized in Türkiye, it’s obvious that the country is becoming a true talent hub.' He predicted that Türkiye will soon join established leaders like Germany, Spain, and France in shaping the continent's chess landscape, based on both the quantity and quality of its players. A standout figure is 14-year-old grandmaster Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş, whose accomplishments Azmaiparashvili described as exceptional. 'To achieve this much at just 14 years old is remarkable,' he noted. 'What he could do by the time he reaches 18 or 20 is very clear. If everything progresses correctly, he has a very real chance on the road to becoming a world champion.' The president attributed Türkiye's success to structured education, modern training methods, and the integration of artificial intelligence in player preparation. He also pointed out that Erdoğmuş is part of a broader group of Turkish talents with world championship potential. The Antalya event itself drew around 3,000 young players and their families, making it one of the region's largest chess gatherings. Azmaiparashvili commended the Turkish Chess Federation for its organization, noting that about 200 people were involved. 'Finding and coordinating that many people is extremely difficult,' he said. 'If you can do that successfully, it means you are doing your job very well.' This tournament underscores Türkiye's strategic importance in both European and global chess development.