Chess also stood out as a strong pillar in Kayseri’s pursuit of the 2029 World Capital of Sport title

The visit carried out by the Official Evaluation Commission of the European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation (ACES) within the scope of Kayseri’s “2029 World Capital of Sport” candidacy once again made the city’s sporting ambition visible. The inclusion of the Turkish Chess Federation delegation in the program held on April 16-19 showed that chess is no longer seen merely as an indoor sport, but as a strategic discipline that contributes to cities’ educational, cultural, and international promotion vision. The participation led by Federation President Fethi Apaydın, together with representatives from management and local structures, underlined the importance of the place allocated to chess in Kayseri’s multi-layered sports planning.

Representing the Turkish Chess Federation during the visit were Board Member Ali Faruk Aydın, Head of the Representatives Coordination Board Mustafa Eroğlu, and Kayseri Provincial Representative Süleyman Çağlıköse. This picture indicates that the candidacy file is based not only on major events but also on a sports culture spread across the grassroots. From a chess perspective, for a city to become a strong candidate on the international stage, organizational infrastructure, school activities, the capacity of coaches and arbiters, a tournament tradition, and development pathways for young players are all of great importance. Kayseri’s rise in recent years through sports investments also increases its potential to create a regular and sustainable growth base in chess.

Speaking at the presentation meeting organized within the visit program, Director General of Sports Services, ACES Türkiye Founder, and Honorary Delegation President Prof. Dr. Veli Ozan Çakır emphasized that after holding the 2024 European Capital of Sport title, Kayseri has now carried its new target into a broader international framework. Çakır’s description of the preparations as “one of the most comprehensive and best-structured presentations” he had seen revealed the seriousness of the candidacy process. In such evaluations, what matters is not only facilities, but also how sport is spread across urban life, how it reaches different age groups, and how balance is built among disciplines. Chess holds a special place in this equation thanks to its ability to reach large audiences at low cost, support cognitive development, and appeal to every age group.

For Kayseri, this process is not merely a race for a title; it also means carrying sport into an institutional future with all of its components. From the chess side, such a candidacy can open an important door to more tournaments, stronger club structures, school leagues, and international events. In a journey that requires not only an opening preparation but also long-term planning, the visible presence of the Turkish Chess Federation in the program shows that chess is being considered a lasting strategic move within Kayseri’s sports vision. If this planning continues with the same determination, Kayseri may become one of the model cities not only for its sports facilities but also for the broad and productive chess ecosystem it can build.