Evren Ucok and the case for chess in developing young minds

10/4/2026 – Chess philanthropist Evren Ucok has committed over $5 million in just three years to transform the global chess ecosystem. Moving beyond traditional sponsorships, his visionary investment provides holistic support for emerging prodigies like Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Sivanandan Bodhana, backs elite European clubs, and funds cutting-edge anti-cheating technology. This is the story of a profound commitment to shaping the next generation of grandmasters. | Photo: Courtesy of Selim Gurcan