Major team chess excitement in Karaman

Organized by the Turkish Chess Federation, the 2025-2026 Turkish Children and Youth Team Chess Championships will be held from April 29 to May 3, 2026, in the conference halls of Karaman Grand Hotel. Bringing together clubs and players from across Turkey, the event is set to become one of the standout competitions of the season, both for showcasing the strength of youth chess development and for highlighting the competitive nature of the team format.

Among the most notable features of the championship are a total prize fund of 810,000 TL and free accommodation in KYK dormitories for participants. These two factors make the event more accessible, especially for teams traveling from other cities, while also providing meaningful support for families and clubs. As a result, broad participation is expected, with strong teams from different regions likely to meet over the board in Karaman.

Unlike individual tournaments, team chess is shaped not only by opening preparation or calculating ability, but also by squad balance, board strategy, team discipline, and sound risk management at critical moments. Competitions in the children and youth categories contribute not only to the players’ rating development, but also to their game practice, time management, ability to convert equal or superior positions with proper technique, and sense of responsibility toward the team. In this respect, the championship in Karaman represents more than just a showcase for the country’s future master candidates.

According to the federation’s announcement, detailed information regarding registration, accommodation, the technical meeting, and competition procedures is available at tky.tsf.org.tr. Clubs and coaches planning to participate should closely follow the published regulations and complete license, visa, roster submission, and registration procedures on time. The chess community is now turning its attention to Karaman, where, from late April to early May, Turkey’s most ambitious youth teams will battle from the opening to the endgame in pursuit of top honors.