Organized in cooperation with the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Turkish Chess Federation, the “2025 Turkey Chess Championship” and the “Chess Championship of the Union of Turkic-Speaking Countries” are being hosted by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality.

Speaking at the opening ceremony at the Müze yen Erkul Science Center, Turkish Chess Federation President Fethi Apaydın said he was pleased with the importance placed on chess in Gaziantep. Expressing his happiness to be together with the athletes, Apaydın stated:

“The Turkey Championship and the Turkic world are playing tournaments in the same hall. This is a fundamental concept. Turkish chess is now moving forward to become a decisive force in world chess. These organizations are growing and turning into larger tournaments.”

Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin also stated that they aim to make Gaziantep a leading city in education, science, sports, culture, and the arts.

The ceremony was attended by Member of Parliament Bünyamin Bozgeyik, Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Numan Nafiz Şahin, Provincial Director of National Education Önder Arpacı, athletes, and their families.

- About the championships

In the general category of the Turkey Chess Championship, 26 athletes will compete in matches that will continue until December 14.

In the Chess Championship of the Union of Turkic-Speaking Countries, athletes from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan are participating.

Anadolu Agency