Turkish İş Bank Chess League

many top players start competing today in Turkey

The Turkish first chess division, İş Bank Chess League, is going to take place in İzmit (the eastern neighbour of İstanbul) between June 23 - July 3. It features strong international participation with the co-winner of the Baku Grand Prix GM Vugar Gashimov(2679), the Valjevo 2007 winner GM Michael Roiz (2659), GM Mikhail Mchedlishvili(2635), Dragan Solak(2630), GM Gadir Guseinov (2625), GM Suat Atalık(2592), GM Ioannis Papaiannous(2566), GM Hristos Banikas(2600), etc.

Following the successful women event Ataturk Chess Championship, many women top players have returned to play in this year's edition of the Turkish Chess League. The top women players include IM/WGM Anna Muzychuk(2486), IM/WGM Anna Ushenina (2474), IM/WGM Lela Javakhishvili(2466), IM/WGM Nana Dzagnidze(2443), IM/WGM Nino Khurtsizde(2413) IM/WGM Ekaterina Atalık(2409), etc.

Beşiktaş chess club is two times consecutive winner of the competition. In previous editions they have had GM Mamedyarov, GM Kuzubov, GM Areschenko, GM Miroschnicenko. This time, however, they rely entirely on local players - IM Atakisi, FM Olcayoz, FM Yagiz, Tanrikulu, and Yilmazyerli. İSEK Aquamatch club sems to be one of the favorites with an interesting mixture between top Turkish and Greek players - GM Suat Atalik, GM Ioannis Papaionnou, GM Hristos Banikas, WGM Ekaterina Atalik, and FM Tolga Demirel. Another rating favorites of the tournament are Doruk Koleji chess club with GM Savchenko, GM Mamedov, IM Ushenina, WGM Stepovaia, and IM Erturan

The competition will be a team round robin event with 16 teams and 15 rounds. Here are all the chess clubs in the İş Bank Chess League with their top players.

İş Bank Chess League

1. Besiktas (IM Atakisi, FM Olcayoz, FM Yagiz)
2. İSEK Aquamatch (GM Atalik, GM Papaionnou, GM Banikas, WGM Atalik, and FM Demirel)
3. THY - Turkish Airlines (GM Gagunashvili, IM Anna Muzychuk, IM Can, IM Erdogdu, WGM Melia, WGM Mariya Muzychuk)
4. Tophane - Bursa (GM Spasov, IM Karakehaiov, FM Gurcan, WIM Chilingirova)
5. Antalya Callispor (GM Shanava, WGM Javakishvili, IM Sideifzade, FM Laciner, IM Durarbeyli)
6. İTÜ-Istanbul Technical University (FM Citak, FM Erdogan, FM Ataman, WIM Topel)
7. TED Ankara College Sports Club (GM Mikhalchishin, IM Soylu, FM Karadeniz, FM Ipek, FM Solakoglu)
8. Konya Selçuk University (GM Roiz, GM Mchedlishvili, WGM Gvetadze)
9. Adana Truva Chess Club (GM Gashimov, GM Huseynov, GM Safarli, IM Haznedaroglu, IM Esen, IM Dzagnidze)
10. Denizli Erbakir (GM Gelashvili, GM Aroshidze, IM Khurtsidze)
11. Pamukkale University (GM Grivas, GM Odeev, WGM Sharevic, WGM Kharlovic, Emir Ozturk)
12. Antalya Deniz Genclik (FM Tuncer, FM Karatekin, FM Ulker, WFM Tekeli)
13. Tarsus Zeka Chess Club (GM Solak, GM Abbasov, FM Bayram, IM Nana Matandze)
14. Manisa Doruk College (GM Mamedov, IM Ushenina, GM Savchenko, WGM Stepovaia, and IM Erturan)
15. Mersin Ezgi Chess Club (Goksel, Duman, Husnillin, WIM L. Genova, Sengul)
16. Servergazi Municipality Sports Club (GM Arutinian, IM Sanikidze, IM Lomineishvili, WIM R. Genova, IM Arduman)

Official site: Turkish Chess Federation

IM Anna Muzychuk will play for THY - Turkish Airlines

IM Ushenina will compete for Doruk Koleji chess club

The champion of Bulgaria for 2008 GM Spasov is the top player of Tophane - Bursa

GM Suat Atalik is the top local player of the competition

GM Grivas, this year's Corus C paricipant, will lead Pamukkale University

WIM Zehra Topel can surprise for İTÜ-Istanbul Technical University