Başkent University International Open Chess Tournament, which was held for the second time this year with the cooperation of the Turkish Chess Federation and Başkent University, was completed after the award ceremony held on July 6, 2017 at Başkent University Bağlıca Campus.
During the tournament, to which nearly 800 athletes from 15 countries applied and which was organized in five categories, trips to Gökyay Foundation Chess Museum and Anıtkabir (Atatürk’s Mausoleum), bicycle tours and various social activities were organized for the participants.
The award ceremony of the open tournament, which was the scene of very exciting matches and broadcasted live on the world famous chess sites, also witnessed great enthusiasm.
Başkent University Founder and Chairman of the Higher Executive Board Prof. Dr. Mehmet Haberal, Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Haberal, President of the Turkish Chess Federation Gülkız Tulay, MEB Deputy Undersecretary-TCF Vice President Dr. Muammer Yıldız, Board Members Ahmet Haznedaroğlu, WIM Nilüfer Çınar Çorlulu, the Director of the Education and Consultancy Services Center (BEDAM) at Başkent University Prof. Dr. Ali Halıcı, TCF General Secretary M. Sedat Fırat, faculty members, TCF Ankara Provincial Representative and Tournament Director Engin Güleç, Tournament Referee FI Aylin İbişoğlu, Tournament Observer IA Tayfun Haznedaroğlu, athletes, parents and a great many guests attended the award ceremony that was held in Prof. Dr. İhsan Doğramacı Conference Hall.
BEDAM Director Prof. Dr. Ali Halıcı, who made the opening speech of the ceremony, started his speech by congratulating the TCF Management that had implemented the Chess Training Project of Future in Çanakkale . Stating that Turkish chess has surely climbed to the top of the world after its fifth place in the World Teams’ Chess Championship, Halıcı stated that chess sport in Turkey has come to a very important level with President Gülkız Tulay. Halıcı said, “If M. Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our country, had been in this hall, he would have definitely kissed President Tulay on the forehead” and added , “I congratulate President Tulay and her entire team who have undertaken very important works with great devotion for our children and youth.
Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Haberal, who said that with the efforts of TCF, chess became a popular branch of sport that spread all over the country, congratulated the TCF Management and added that they were very happy with the cooperation of the Federation with Başkent University. Stating that, as a university, they would try to support chess and do their best in this regard, Rector Haberal concluded his words by congratulating the athletes who had achieved degrees in the tournament.