An important meeting for the development of chess in Bursa

Turkish Chess Federation President Fethi Apaydın, accompanied by Bursa Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Rahmi Aksoy and Federation Education Board Member Fatih Türk, paid a visit to Bursa Governor Erol Ayyıldız in his office. During the meeting, key topics included expanding chess to reach broader segments of society in Bursa, strengthening the grassroots structure, and evaluating ongoing efforts. The visit stood out as an important meeting that highlighted chess not only as a sport, but also as a powerful tool for education and cognitive development.

The discussion particularly focused on introducing school-age children to chess at an earlier age, expanding coaching and educational activities, strengthening tournament organization, and developing potential cooperation with local institutions. In a city like Bursa, which has a strong sports culture, broadening the grassroots reach of chess is seen as a step that will both increase the number of licensed players and contribute to nurturing the successful players of the future. In this context, the role of chess education in developing disciplined thinking, strategic planning, and the ability to make the right move at the right time was once again emphasized.

In recent years, the Turkish Chess Federation’s work in education, organization, and outreach has made chess more visible throughout Türkiye. Every new move to be made in Bursa will also help strengthen this broader structure at the local level. In particular, the support of public institutions is of great importance for sustainable progress in many areas, from tournaments and school activities to the development of arbiters and coaches and talent identification. Such contacts stand out as diplomatic and institutional steps that can produce concrete results in chess’s development plan extending from the center to the provinces.

At the end of the visit, Bursa Governor Erol Ayyıldız was thanked for his hospitality and kind reception, and the meeting is expected to provide fresh momentum for chess activities in Bursa in the coming period. Chess, which teaches planned thinking from the opening to the endgame, may find even stronger ground for development in Bursa with the joint support of public institutions, the education community, and sports administrators.