Apaydin Visits ESBAS and Space Camp Türkiye: A New Horizon for Chess Cooperation

Turkish Chess Federation President Fethi Apaydin drew attention to new areas where chess can intersect with education, technology, and youth programs during his visit to Aegean Free Zone Founder and Operator Inc. (ESBAS). As part of the program, Apaydin met with ESBAS General Manager Yusuf Kilinc and Space Camp Türkiye Director Halime Buyukyuksel, while Izmir Provincial Representative Abuzer Altuntas also attended the meetings. The discussions focused on possible institutional cooperation and a roadmap for joint projects in the coming period.

This visit was more than a courtesy meeting; it also stood out as an important step in strengthening the connection between chess and other disciplines. For children and young people in particular, chess is one of the key fields that develops strategic thinking, planning, attention span, patience, and decision-making skills. Bringing together a structure such as ESBAS, known for industry, production, and corporate management culture, with a science- and discovery-oriented educational center like Space Camp Türkiye creates meaningful potential to carry the cognitive benefits of chess onto broader platforms.

The potential projects discussed are expected to take shape around initiatives that support the educational dimension of chess, youth-oriented organizations, social responsibility programs, and development activities aimed at different age groups. In recent years, chess has gained a stronger place not only in tournament halls but also in schools, science centers, and multidimensional child development programs, which increases the value of such contacts. From opening preparation to endgame technique, the discipline of chess nurtures analytical thinking and continues to find growing recognition in the world of education.

Another notable part of the visit was President Apaydin’s tour of Space Camp Türkiye, which operates within ESBAS. Centered on science, technology, and a culture of exploration, the institution appears to share natural common ground with chess through calculation, foresight, and problem-solving. Considering the Turkish Chess Federation’s recent outreach to different institutions, this visit can be seen as an important step that may evolve into concrete projects in the future. The Federation also thanked the entire ESBAS team, especially Yusuf Kilinc, for their kind hospitality.