Turkish military chess team wins NATO title, Vahap Şanal goes 7-for-7

The Turkish Armed Forces chess team finished first at the 36th NATO Chess Championship in Latvia, which brought together 136 players from 18 countries. Grandmaster Vahap Şanal, who is doing his military service as an infantry private, won all seven of his games to take the individual title.

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) chess team won the 36th NATO Chess Championship, held in Jūrmala, Latvia, from Oct. 11 to 17. According to Türkiye’s Defense Ministry, the TSK team topped the standings with 23.5 points in a field of 136 players from 18 countries.

Grandmaster Vahap Şanal, who is serving as an infantry private, won all seven of his games in the classical section to claim the individual title.

Two golds and a bronze

Grandmaster Vahap Şanal (file photo, 2023)

According to the Turkish Chess Federation, Turkish players won two gold medals and one bronze at the championship, which brings together military personnel from NATO member states. FIDE Master Efe Mert Kılıç finished third in the individual rapid section.

Alongside Şanal and Kılıç, the TSK team included Candidate Master Muhammed Kaan Bacak, Egemen Gülden, Neşet Taha Ülken and Tolga Akın.