Angora Chess Tournaments in Ankara
By Anastasiya Karlovich
Photos: Anastasiya Karlovich and Asli Kara
The international WGM Angora Chess Tournament took place in Ankara, Turkey
from February 14 to 20. It was organized by the Turkish Chess Federation in
the Nevzat Süer hall in the New
Chess Federation Centre. The double Scheveningen System with ten rounds
was used, with two teams, one consisting of five Turkish players and another
of five foreign WGMs, playing each other with both colors. Among the participants
were IM (WGM) Angela Borsuk from Israel , IM (WGM) Sopio Gvetadze from Georgia,
WGM Anna Burtasova from Russia, WGM Anastasia Karlovich from Ukraine, WIM Nargiz
Umudova from Azerbaijan, and the Turkish players WIM Kubra Ozturk, WIM Betul
Cemre Yildiz, Emel Kaya, Selen Sop and Ezgi Menzi. This tournament is a part
of many different events supported by Chess Federation which has a goal to continue
developing women chess and give a chance to up and coming chess players to gain
international titles.
The TCF took this competition very seriously and organized a training session
with famous GM Adrian Mikhalchishin for the Turkish girls, whom he also supported
during the event.
The WGM team didn’t lose any of their matches, drew three of them and
won the rest. But they left 85 Elo points in total in Turkey. Sopio Gvetadze
was the only participant who passed a test. The Turkish Chess Federation plans
to stage such tournaments regularly.
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after
Istanbul. It became the capital in 1923 when Ataturk moved it from Istanbul.
At the time it had a population only 60 thousand people. Today the population
of Ankara is around four millions. Centrally located in Anatolia, Ankara is
an important commercial and industrial city. It is the location of the Turkish
Government, and houses all foreign embassies. The city was famous for its long-haired
Angora goats and their
famous wool (mohair), a unique breed of cat, the Angora cat, white rabbits and
their wool (Angora wool), pears, honey, and the region's muscat grapes.
A view of Ankara from the playing hall. The intensive schedule with two games
per day didn't give us a chance to see Ankara during the day. But it was possible
to visit some places during the night.
Anitkabir at night. The mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader
of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder and first president of the
Republic of Turkey, stands on a hill and was completed in 1953. An adjacent
museum houses a wax statue of Atatürk, his writings, letters and personal
items, as well as an exhibition of photographs recording important moments in
his life and during the establishment of the Republic.
The Atakule Tower. this observation tower, 125 meters high, is the primary
landmark of Ankara. It can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. The top
section has an open terrace and a restaurant, which makes a full 360 degree
rotation in one hour. The bottom structures house a shopping mall and several
indoor and outdoor restaurants.
A night view of the city from the tower
One of the central parks with many lights
A couple sitting next to the Victory Monument
An office of Turkish Chess Federation
The playing venue with the best player from the WGM team Sopio Gvetadze
from Georgia in the foreground
WIM Kübra Öztürk, one of the the strongest Turkish players,
has actually been nominated "Sportsman of the Year". She scored the
best result in her team against the WGMs, but she missed her chance to make
the second WGM norm by half a point.
WIM Betul Cemre Yildiz, didn't start well in the tournament but was able
to overcome the situation
Emel Kaya, the most unpredictable participant of Turkish team. Starting
with 0 out of 4, she scored 4.5 out of 6, gained 50 elo points and the WIM title.
Menzi Ezgi, the youngest participant of the event who also caused problems
for her more experienced opponents.
Concentrated: Selen Sop, with an arbiter on the background
The Elo favorite IM Angela Borsuk from Israel, with 7 points out of 10 and
the second best final result in the WGM team
Nargiz Umudova from Azerbaijan, with 6 points out of 10
WGM Anna Burtasova from Russia discusses the game her game against Yildiz
with the organizer of the tournament Yasin Emrah Yagiz
Narzis Umudova playing white against Menzi Ezgi
The Turkish team during an improvised photo session
GM Adrain Mikhalchishin analyses with his pupils after their games…
…and browses in the excellent library in the office of Turkish Federation
while girls are playing
Ozgur Akman, sport journalist, working hard to meet a deadline
Another chess event started immediately after the end of the WGM tournament,
with five Turkish and five foreign players, with the same format as the previous
event. The Turkish team made three draws in the matches and was able to win
the 9th round.
The youngest participant of event 11-year-old CM Vahap Sanal
The Elo favorite of Turkish team Mert Erdogdu playing against GM Yuri Yakovich.
IM Esen Baris playing Romanian GM Grigore George-Gabriel
The only female participant in the second event, WIM Nazi Palkidze from
Georgia, scored 4.5 out of 10 and showed a 2366 performance
Ankara is home to a world famous breed of cats – the Turkish Angora,
called Ankara kedisi (Ankara cat) in Turkish. It is a domestic cat, one of the
ancient, naturally-occurring breeds, having originated in Ankara and its surrounding
region in central Anatolia.
About the author
Anastasiya (Nastja) Karlovich was Ukrainian champion
and vice-champion among girls under 16, 18 and 20. She was European
Champion with the Ukrainian team in the Youth Team Championships. She
is also
- a candidate officer in the National Law Academy “Yaroslav the Wise”,
- a member of the chess club “Law Academy”
- a member of the German club Grosslehna
- one of the organisers of WGM and GM closed tournaments “Cup of
Rector”.
- a Woman Grandmaster since 2003
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