Chess is a game that has been around for centuries and is played all over the world. Turkey is no exception, and has had numerous world-famous chess players throughout its history.
From grandmasters to international masters, the best chess players in Turkey have gone on to make a name for themselves on the world stage. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best chess players in Turkey and what makes them stand out from the rest.
We will also take a look at their accomplishments and how they have made Turkey proud.
1. Burak Firat
Burak Fırat is a highly accomplished chess player from Turkey who achieved immense success over the years. In 2017, Fırat earned the FIDE title of Grandmaster, making him the eleventh player to do so in Turkish chess history.
His journey to becoming a Grandmaster started in 2009 when he acquired the FIDE Master title, which was followed by the International Master title one year later. This makes Fırat one of the most successful chess players to come out of Turkey.
He is an inspiration to aspiring chess players all over the world, showing that with hard work and dedication, one can achieve great heights.
2. Emre Can
Emre Can is a renowned chess grandmaster from İzmir, Turkey. Born on January 21, 1990, he has achieved remarkable success in the chess world. In 2006, he earned the title of FIDE Master, and a year later he was rewarded with the title of International Master.
Finally, in 2010, he was granted the title of Grandmaster, making him a part of an elite group of chess masters. Apart from his outstanding chess accomplishments, Can is currently a student of Information Technology at Kadir Has University in Istanbul.
His educational background in Information Technology has allowed him to use his tech skills to further his chess career. His combination of technological savvy and grandmaster-level chess skill makes him an invaluable asset to the chess world.
Emre Can is an incredibly gifted chess player and a brilliant Information Technology student. His dedication to both his education and his chess game has propelled him to the top of the chess world, and he is sure to continue achieving great success in the years to come.
3. Ekaterina Atalik
Ekaterina Atalik is a remarkable chess player who hails from both Russia and Turkey. She has achieved the titles of International Master and Woman Grandmaster and was the 1997 European Youth Chess Champion in the under-16 girls’ section.
With her success and dedication to the game, Ekaterina has become a role model for aspiring chess players all around the world. In 2005, Ekaterina took another huge step in her personal life and married the Turkish Grandmaster Suat Atalık.
By doing so, she obtained Turkish citizenship and officially became a dual Russian-Turkish citizen.
This bond not only connected Ekaterina to her husband but to a whole new culture and nationality. Today, Ekaterina continues to play and teach chess and is a role model for many aspiring chess players.
She is a prime example of how dedication and hard work can lead to success in life, no matter where you come from.
4. Barış Esen
Barış Esen is a renowned Turkish chess grandmaster who has reached a high level of success in the game. He was born on November 3, 1986 and has been playing chess since a young age.
As of the July 2013 FIDE rating list, he is ranked among active players as number 369 in the world and number five in Turkey. He earned FIDE titles of International Master in 2005 and Grand Master on July 25, 2010, which is a huge accomplishment.
His dedication and hard work have enabled him to reach such a high level of success in the world of chess. He is a great example of how determination and focus can take a person far in life.
5. Kübra Öztürk
Kübra Öztürk is an internationally recognized chess player from Turkey. She has achieved remarkable success in the sport and is currently ranked 199th in the world by the FIDE rating list.
She is the second-highest-ranked female chess player in Turkey. Ozturk has earned numerous FIDE titles over the course of her career.
She was awarded the title of Woman FIDE Master in 2006, Woman International Master in 2009, and finally achieved the title of Woman Grandmaster in 2011.
This is an impressive feat and shows the dedication she has put in to reaching the highest level of the sport. Ozturk has become an inspiration to other aspiring female chess players in Turkey, showing that it is possible to make a name for yourself in the competitive world of chess.
Her commitment and dedication, as well as her skill, have made her a leading figure in the Turkish chess scene.
6. Mikhail Gurevich
Mikhail Gurevich is a renowned chess player born in the Soviet Union but now residing in Belgium. He achieved the title of International Grandmaster in 1986, and since then has gone on to be a top ten ranked player for three years, from 1989 to 1991.
Gurevich is currently an FIDE arbiter, which means he is a referee for chess tournaments, and a senior trainer, meaning he is an experienced coach for aspiring chess players.
His accomplishments in the field of chess have been impressive, and he continues to contribute to the game in various ways.
7. Betül Cemre Yıldız
Betül Cemre Yıldız Kadıoğlu is a highly accomplished female chess player from Turkey. She has won the Turkish Women’s Championship eleven times, a record that is unlikely to ever be broken.
Betül was awarded the title of Woman International Master in 2004, making her the first-ever Turkish Woman International Master.
In 2012, she was once again the first to achieve a major milestone when she was the first to be awarded the title of Woman Grandmaster, making her the first-ever Turkish Woman Grandmaster.
Her success has made Betül one of the most respected and celebrated female chess players in the world and has earned her a place in the history books.
Conclusion
It is clear that Turkey has produced some exceptional chess players. From the world-renowned player to the more recent players, Turkey has a long history of great chess talent.
The best players have had a lasting influence on the chess world, and have helped to shape the future of the game. Despite the ever-changing landscape of chess, Turkey’s best players continue to provide a strong presence in the world of chess.
