Strong Showing by Turkish Grandmasters at the Reykjavik Open

The 2026 Reykjavik Open Chess Tournament, held in Iceland’s capital Reykjavik from March 25 to 31, concluded as one of the notable events on the international chess calendar. With 422 players competing over nine rounds in the Swiss system, the tournament once again featured a high level of competition thanks to its strong grandmaster field and international participation. Turkey was represented by GM Mustafa Yilmaz, GM Vahap Sanal, and GM Emre Can.

The best result among the Turkish players came from GM Vahap Sanal. Finishing the tournament in 9th place with 6.5/9, the experienced grandmaster secured a place in the top ten and delivered an important achievement. This result once again highlighted how valuable consistency is in such a large and strong open event. In open tournaments, facing opponents with different styles and levels of preparation in every round demands not only theoretical knowledge but also strong practical decision-making.

GM Mustafa Yilmaz and GM Emre Can both finished on 6 points. Both grandmasters maintained their fighting spirit against tough pairings and represented Turkey successfully. Events like the Reykjavik Open are important not only for the standings, but also for allowing players to test their form, gain international experience, and improve the quality of their play against high-level opposition.

Reykjavik continues to hold a special place in chess history, known for world championship matches and prestigious events. For that reason, every strong result achieved there carries both sporting and psychological value. The performances of Turkey’s leading grandmasters on such a competitive stage reflected the steady rise of Turkish chess on the international scene and offered encouragement for the tournaments ahead. We congratulate our national players on their successful efforts.