The 2026 NATO Chess Championship, held from 11 to 17 October at the Baltic Beach Hotel & SPA in Jūrmala, Latvia, witnessed an outstanding triumph for Turkish chess. Bringing together 148 military chess players representing 18 NATO member nations, the prestigious tournament concluded with Grandmaster Vahap Şanal and Team Türkiye securing double championship titles.

Flawless 7/7 Performance from Vahap Şanal

Entering the competition as the top seed and the sole Grandmaster in the field, Vahap Şanal fully lived up to his status as the pre-tournament favourite. Competing in a seven-round Swiss system format, the Turkish GM defeated every opponent he faced, finishing with an unblemished 7/7 score to capture the individual title. Şanal's commanding performance was also instrumental in propelling Team Türkiye to the top of the team standings.

Podium Battles and Team Success

Slovenian International Master (IM) Laura Unuk, seeded fifth, had an exceptional run. Due to pairing dynamics, Unuk did not face Şanal during the event, finishing in sole second place with 6/7 points and earning the title of the competition's best female player. The battle for third place saw intense competition, with a six-player pack finishing on 5½/7. Thanks to a superior Buchholz tiebreak score, German FIDE Master (FM) Robert Stein claimed the bronze medal. Alongside individual accolades, Team Türkiye showcased a formidable collective effort to emerge victorious in the team championship.