From 12 to 17 April, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus faced Veselin Topalov in a six-game classical match held in Monte Carlo. Organised by the Monaco Chess Federation in partnership with the Cercle d'Échecs de Monte-Carlo and with the support of Turkish billionaire Evren Üçok, the confrontation pitted one of the most promising young players in the world, aged 14, against a former world champion, aged 51
The format called for six classical games, with an Armageddon decider in case of a 3-3 draw. In the end, however, no tiebreaks were required. Erdogmus won the match convincingly by a 5-1 score, collecting four victories and conceding no losses. The result also saw the Turkish prodigy become the youngest-ever player to cross the 2700 rating mark (for the moment, only as per the live ratings list).
If Erdogmus' results are included in the next ranking published by FIDE, the Turkish will join the "2700 club" officially at 14 years, 10 months and 27 days, clearly improving on the previous record set by Wei Yi, who crossed the same rating barrier at 15 years, 8 months and 27 days. The next three in line - Alireza Firouzja, Gukesh Dommaraju and Magnus Carlsen - were all 16 years old when they achieved the same feat.
Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus at the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss, where he scored 6/11 to finish in 28th place against formidable opposition - he obtained an upset victory over Levon Aronian in round eight | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza
Topalov had white in the opening game and appeared more likely to strike first. Out of a Berlin Defence, the Bulgarian reached a same-coloured bishop endgame with the more active king and some practical chances. Erdogmus defended accurately and eventually held the draw.
The second game turned out to be the turning point of the match. Playing white, Erdogmus obtained the upper hand from the opening in a double-edged tactical struggle. Although Topalov managed to seize the initiative for a time in the middlegame, he then committed a decisive mistake on move 36 - notably, at that point the Bulgarian had considerably more time on the clock, while Erdogmus was under severe time pressure. The young Turkish grandmaster converted efficiently to take the lead.
Erdogmus then extended his advantage in game three. This time, Topalov misplayed the opening and soon found himself under sustained pressure. Unlike the previous encounter, there was little counterplay for the Bulgarian, as Erdogmus gradually tightened his grip on the position and secured a second consecutive win.
Game four was the longest of the match, lasting 75 moves, and ended in a draw. Topalov's difficulties returned in the fifth encounter. In an equal ending featuring queen, rook and knight against queen, rook and bishop, the former world champion faltered. His lack of recent competitive practice appeared to show, as he missed a forcing line that allowed his opponent to quickly create a mating threat.
Already assured of overall victory, Erdogmus completed an emphatic performance in the sixth and final game. Topalov opted for the French Defence, and Erdogmus gradually outplayed him from the early middlegame onwards. Patient manoeuvring and steady positional improvement allowed the teenager to secure a fourth win of the match and seal the final 5-1 scoreline.
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