Başkent University International Open Chess Tournament, which was organized for the fourth time this year with the cooperation of the Turkish Chess Federation (TCF) and Başkent University, ended with the award ceremony held on the Başkent University Bağlıca Campus on Saturday, June 22.
In the A category of the tournament which was organized in six categories and in which 696 athletes from 14 countries 42 of whom had titles, while GM Vitaliy Bernadskiy (Ukraine) took the first place with 7.5 points, the first runner-up runner up was IM Misratdin Iskandarov (Azerbaijan), the second runner-up was IM Gabor Nagy (Hungary), the 4th place went to GM Handszar Odeev, the 5th IM Nderim Saracı (Kosovo), the 6th IM Meilis Annaberdiev (Turkmenistan), 7th GM Giorgi Bagaturov (Georgia), 8th IM Işık Can (Turkey), 9th CM Göktan Yılmaz (Turkey) and in the 10th place was IM Ege Köksal (Turkey).
Speaking at the award ceremony of the tournament, Director of Center for Education and Consultancy Services (BEDAM) of Başkent University, Prof. Dr. Ali Halıcı stated at the implementation phase of the 4th Başkent Open Chess Tournament, which they successfully completed that they feel the same excitement every year . Expressing that two distinguished institutions of the Republic which worry about the future and make efforts for the future came together with this tournament, Mr. Halıcı congratulated TCF President Gülkız Tulay for the point she has brought the Turkish chess with his words “A woman manager can only be so successful in Turkey’s conditions”..
The rector of Başkent University, Prof. Dr. Ali Haberal, who stated that TCF President Tulay and her team have been working successfully and devotedly their efforts for years to popularize and disseminate chess in Turkey thanked Chairman Tulay, the board of directors and her team. Stating that the cooperation between the institutions is of great importance, Haberal emphasized that Başkent University and TCF have come together for a successful cooperation for years. Sharing his wish that the tournament and this cooperation will last for many years, Haberal concluded his speech by thanking those who had contributed to the tournament.
TCF President Gülkız Tulay, who started her speech by stating that she is proud to be in a world-class science center like Başkent University, expressed that they feel lucky to have signed a 4-year uninterrupted cooperation with such an exceptional educational institution. Stating that they will be under the roof of the university again for the National Team Pool camp and the trainers’ workshop and that they feel excited about this too, Tulay said that, being hosted by Başkent University, all of the participants would have an unforgettable time for 5 days. Ms. Tulay, who stated that the Baskent University International Open Chess Tournament was held in a way that is worthy of both institutions, thanked particularly the Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Haberal and all the university administration and staff.
Speaking after Ms. Tulay, Başkent University Founder and Chairman of the Higher Executive Board and the President of the World Organ Transplant Association, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Haberal, on the other hand, called out to all the players and advised them that it was necessary to work hard to achieve success. Mr. Haberal, who stated that he was proud to see the picture in the hall, continued his speech with the following words: “Life is a continuous competition, and societies compete with their knowledge. If humans can even go to the dark side of the Moon now, it is not possible for us to stay behind. There is no place for getting tired or feel despair. Tomorrow will be better with you, our young people. ”
Mr. Haberal, who said that as a Republic woman, TCF President Gülkız Tulay, who had brought the Turkish chess to a very successful point, should be congratulated and then he congratulated the athletes who had achieved a degree and expressed that he believed that those who did not get a degree would succeed in the 5th International Open Chess Tournament of Başkent University by trying hard.
At the award ceremony where the TCF Deputy Aşkın Keleş, Başkent University faculty members, TCF Secretary General M. Sedat Fırat, TCF Ankara Provincial Representative and Tournament Director Engin Güleç, Tournament Referee FA Çağatay Korkuç, Tournament Observer FA Aylin İbişoğlu, the athletes and many guests, trophies and medals were presented to the athletes who had achieved the first three degrees in each category, and medals and monetary awards were presented by the members of the protocol to all athletes who had received awards.
According to their categories, Baskent University awarded a total of 60 thousand TL to all athletes who had received awards.