European School Chess Championship 2026 Gets Underway in Trogir

The 2026 European School Chess Championship has begun in Trogir, the historic coastal city of Croatia, and will run from April 26 to May 6. Regarded as one of the key youth events on the European Chess Union (ECU) calendar, the championship once again brings together young players from many countries across Europe. Competitors are battling for top places in the 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 age groups, in both the open and girls sections.

Türkiye is represented by a 10-player delegation at the event. The Turkish lineup features Meriç Zeynel Aker, Miraç Elvin Erkanlı, Onur Hısır, Deniz İrteş, WCM Beren Kalyoncu, Ela Mullakütükçü, Funda Su Seyhanlı, ACM Ela Sirekbasan, Irmak Somyürek, and Yusuf Kaan Ünsal. For these young players competing in different age groups, the European stage is not only a battle for points and standings, but also a major test of tournament rhythm, opening preparation, endgame technique, and psychological resilience against international opposition.

School championships stand out by offering developing players a regular and disciplined competitive environment. Every result in events like this contributes directly to a young player’s Elo development, tournament experience, and long-term goals at both European and world level. In particular, the ability to build the right plan in classical games, maintain calculation accuracy in critical moments, and transition smoothly from the opening into the middlegame are among the key ingredients for success.

The championship in Trogir also provides an important snapshot of the depth of Turkish youth chess. In recent years, players in the age categories have gained international experience with increasing consistency, and that process has helped them perform with greater confidence on the European stage. Throughout the tournament, attention will focus not only on final standings but also on the quality of play produced by Türkiye’s representatives. Closely followed by the Turkish Chess Federation, this event stands out as an important step in the career path of rising young talents.