A New International Chess Achievement by Ediz Gürel
Ediz Gürel Becomes World Blitz Chess Champion in the Under-17 Open Category
With his recent achievements, Ediz Gürel continues to make history on the international chess stage. Competing against more than 300 players from 34 countries, Gürel claimed the gold medal in the Under-17 Open category at the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships for Ages 9–17, held in Antalya.
Ediz Gürel, a player of the Pendik Chess Sports Club supported by the BAYEGAN Foundation—known for its commitment to youth development and the future—emerged as the World Blitz Champion in the Under-17 Open category at the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships, where every move was played for a world title.
Despite his young age, Ediz Gürel—one of Türkiye’s promising young grandmasters (GM)—continues to write chess history with his disciplined work ethic, strategic mindset, and determination, achieving significant national and international success.
He Made History by Defeating World Champion Gukesh
A few months ago, Ediz Gürel made headlines by defeating reigning World Chess Champion Dommaraju Gukesh in a historic match. Following his strong performances alongside Turkish players on the European stage, he also finished as champion of the Lichess Titled Arena tournament.
About a month ago, Gürel represented Türkiye at the FIDE World Cup 2025 in India. Most recently, he competed against many talented young chess players from Türkiye and around the world at the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships for Ages 9–17 in Antalya, which brought together over 300 players from 34 countries.
Outperforming all competitors in the Under-17 Open category, Ediz Gürel secured the World Blitz Championship title, winning the gold medal after nine rounds.
“I Aim to Continue Achieving Success Within the BAYEGAN Pendik Chess Sports Club”
Commenting on his achievement, Ediz Gürel said:
“As always, I will continue my journey with the support of my family and as a proud member of the BAYEGAN family.I would like to thank BAYEGAN Board Chairman Mr. Ercüment Bayegan and the BAYEGAN Foundation for their long-standing support of chess. I aim to continue achieving successful results within the BAYEGAN Pendik Chess Sports Club.”
“As BAYEGAN, We Are Proud to Be Part of This Achievement”
BAYEGAN Board Chairman Ercüment Bayegan stated that they have been supporting chess since 2017 in order to foster young people’s intellectual development and provide a platform for strategic thinking, adding: “We believe that investing in future leaders and talents plays a critical role in societal development. We also place great importance on increasing the international visibility and competitiveness of Turkish chess, and on discovering young talents at an early age and empowering them with the right support. With this vision, we support both the BAYEGAN Pendik Chess Sports Club and invest in future world-class athletes like Ediz Gürel. One of the most inspiring values guiding us on this journey is the strong legacy left by my father, M. Ali Bayegan, a former Turkish and Istanbul Chess Champion.”
Bayegan congratulated Ediz Gürel for his outstanding recent achievements at both national and international levels, emphasizing that BAYEGAN is proud to be part of this success.
“We Support Young Athletes Throughout Their Entire Development Journey”
Erhan Arslanalp, Vice Chairman of the BAYEGAN Foundation Board, explained that the Foundation carries out activities addressing social needs, particularly in education and sports, and supports projects that contribute to the development of children and young people.
Emphasizing that chess significantly enhances focus, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, Arslanalp stated:
“In line with our belief that concepts such as strategy, foresight, analytical thinking, and discipline closely align with the business world, we support not only club activities but also young athletes throughout their entire development journey—from education to international tournaments.”
Arslanalp also noted that, in collaboration with the BAYEGAN Pendik Chess Sports Club, they aim to make chess accessible to people of all ages and to build a strong foundation for the future of Turkish chess.
About BAYEGAN
With 85 years of experience, BAYEGAN is a leading global company in the petrochemical sector, engaged in supply, marketing, sales, and distribution activities worldwide. By addressing local needs while ensuring seamless and efficient distribution across the globe, BAYEGAN offers an extensive product range in chemicals, polymers, and engineering plastics. As Türkiye’s leading polymer distributor and a global player, BAYEGAN connects the world’s largest petrochemical producers with global business partners.
Through strong and long-term partnerships, a robust global distribution network, and an agile, competitive supply chain management system, BAYEGAN delivers end-to-end services supported by reliable, solution-oriented logistics and storage capabilities. Combined with its solid financial infrastructure, BAYEGAN holds a leadership position in the markets where it operates. Guided by a vision to drive sustainable growth in the petrochemical sector with an innovation, quality, and technology-focused approach, BAYEGAN also invests in R&D and production through its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.bayegan.net
About BAYEGAN Pendik Chess Sports Club
Operating in Pendik, Istanbul since 2017, BAYEGAN Pendik Chess Sports Club is an educational and developmental platform aiming to make chess accessible to people of all ages. While nurturing qualified athletes for Turkish chess at both national and international levels, the club embraces a multifaceted approach centered around strategic thinking, patience, and mental discipline.
The club offers both basic and advanced chess training for children and youth, as well as lifelong learning programs for adults. Through collaborations with schools, it also works to promote chess at an early age and strengthen the grassroots infrastructure.
BAYEGAN Pendik Chess Sports Club continues its mission not only to foster chess talent but also to help individuals grow into self-confident, strategic, and versatile thinkers in life.