Text by Anastasiya Karlovich and Fatma Ozturk
Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich
The Turkish Youth Championship took place in Istanbul (city-host of Olympiad in 2012) from July 23, 2011 till July 28. The tournament was a Swiss system, with seven to nine rounds, and covered the U-13 to U-18 age categories among boys and girls.
The first Youth Chess Championships was organized by the Turkish Chess Federation in 1992. After the start of the program “Chess in schools” some years ago, thousands of young chess players have appeared in the country. Statistics of the TCF shows that the number of children learning chess from 2005 to 2010 has increased to 2,250,000 (two million two hundred and fifty thousand).
Last year 916 players took part in the Youth Chess Championship in all categories (U8-U18). This year the TCF decided to arrange two different events for different age groups in order to give chances to all comers to participate there. The first leg of the championship in the U7-U12 age categories was held in Kemer (Antaliya) in February and had more than 1000 participants while the current event gathered 380 players. The TCF decided to provide six different categories: U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18 age groups. The best players in each age group earn the right to participate in the U-14, U-16 and U-18 World Youth Championships. The tournament is supported by Turkish IsBank and Darussafaka Association.
A view of the city with the Galata tower tops
A view of the Aya Sofya
Fishing on Galata Bridge near the New Mosque or Mosque of the Valide Sultan
The Istanbul Nostalgic Tram which was restored and revived in 1990. Tram service
was completely stopped in 1966 and returned in Istanbul after a very long 24 year gap.
The Mayor of Bayrampasa Municipality, Atila Aydiner, makes the first symbolic move
Gorkem Ozdemir ensures the Internet broadcast of the games
A handshake between Ilayda Salt and Aleyna Yigit before the start of the game
Turkish national team member IM Mert Erdogdu with his pupils
Parents and coaches waiting for the pupils with smiling Dogan Reyhan in the middle
Journalists and organisers in the press venue
Emirhan Tarlabasi is only 8 years old but plays in the U13 category. He was the 2010
U7
European School Champion and the silver medalist at the U7 World School Championship.
Ufuk Sezen Arat from Antaliya plays in the U-15 age group
Ayca Fatma Durmaz plays in the girl's U-16 group
Ezgi Menzi leads in the Girls U14 group
Budding beauty Leyla Oztemiz plays in the Girls U18
Fashion conscious Yaren Arkan from the Girls U13
Denizcan Temizkan from the Boys U13
U13 Arda Cagil Irmak immersed in her game
Girls U17 Seray Tulay
Many young chess players who live in Istanbul take advantage
to take part in the event such as 8-year-old Eren Taha Duygun
who plays in the U13 group.
Summer outside, but
winter inside due to the air-conditioning
Though playing in the U13 group, Burak Koraltan already shows
signs of strong individuality.
Selen Sop and Sude Hereklioglu have a happy embrace
Best friends
A small chess fan carries a box with chess pieces
Though she could pass for a model here, Sevgican Bal plays
in the U13 girls section!
Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich
LinksThe games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 11 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs. |
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