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Magnus Carlsen Praises Turkish Teen Chess Star
8 Sep
Summary
- Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus is the youngest player to achieve FIDE ratings of 2600 and 2700.
- Magnus Carlsen has called Erdogmus the 'best 14-year-old chess has ever seen'.
- Erdogmus aims to reach a 2900 rating, a level no player has achieved.
Fifteen-year-old Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus from Türkiye is rapidly ascending the chess ranks, earning praise from Magnus Carlsen, who declared him the "best 14-year-old chess has ever seen" in December.
Erdogmus has already achieved the distinction of being the youngest player to reach FIDE classical ratings of 2600 and 2700. His coach, Grandmaster Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, has set an ambitious goal for him to reach a 2900 rating, a level never before attained by any chess player, including legends like Carlsen and Garry Kasparov.
Despite the high expectations, Erdogmus remains grounded, viewing 2900 as a long-term goal rather than immediate pressure. He is currently participating in the Global Chess League (GCL) 2026 in Bengaluru, playing for the PBG Alaskan Knights alongside Viswanathan Anand. Erdogmus is eager to learn from Anand's experiences during his competitive career.
Erdogmus's ambition was evident in a recent match against his coach, Mamedyarov, where he pushed for a win despite draw options. His competitive spirit was also noted in a past game against Carlsen, where he felt the pressure affected his ability to spot simple moves. He attributes his early success to a childhood fascination with chess, starting in kindergarten and a constant motivation to improve.
Erdogmus has also demonstrated remarkable endurance, playing a 190-move draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov at the Grand Swiss last year, the longest in that tournament's history. He has consistently impressed in 2026 tournaments, including the TePe Siegeman Classic and the Biel Chess Festival. He emphasizes the importance of classical chess, even while enjoying the faster pace of bullet chess.
Erdogmus, alongside fellow Turkish teenager Ediz Gurel, who recently defeated world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, aims to elevate chess's popularity in Türkiye. He sees their efforts as crucial in making Türkiye a leading chess nation, drawing parallels with countries like India where the sport has a more established culture.
