The Turkish Junior and Stars Team Chess Championship hosted by Karaman ended with a magnificent cup ceremony following five days of fierce competition. Organized by the Turkish Chess Federation, this prestigious tournament brought chess enthusiasts together at the Karaman Lütfi Elvan Congress Center between April 19-23, 2025.
A total of 101 young talents from 506 different teams from all over Türkiye participated in the championship. The tournament featured exciting matches in four different categories: 12 Years General (31 teams), 12 Years Girls (15 teams), 18 Years General (32 teams) and 18 Years Girls (23 teams). In the tournament where mental strategy and tactical skills were at the forefront, young chess players competed fiercely for the championship.
After the final matches, an award ceremony was held for the winning teams. In addition to receiving their cups and medals, the successful teams in the championship also received their share of the total prize pool of 665 thousand TL determined by the Turkish Chess Federation. These awards are of great importance in terms of increasing the motivation of young athletes and encouraging their interest in the sport of chess.
Governor Cicekli Emphasizes the Importance of Chess
Speaking at the award ceremony, Karaman Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli drew attention to the positive effects of chess on individual development. Governor Çiçekli said, “As Karaman, we are very pleased to host this prestigious tournament. Chess is a very special sport that develops life skills such as strategic thinking, patience and discipline. I congratulate each and every athlete who competed here. I would like to thank the Turkish Chess Federation, our valuable referees and devoted volunteers for their efforts. Karaman will continue to support all kinds of organizations that will contribute to the development of young people.” Governor Çiçekli’s words emphasized that chess is not only a game of intelligence, but also makes significant contributions to the personal development of young people.
