Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus: Youngest Grandmaster to Cross the 2700

Turkish chess prodigy Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus has made history by becoming the youngest grandmaster ever to reach an Elo rating of 2700. At just 14 years old, Erdogmus shattered the previous age record held by China’s Wei Yi, who achieved the feat at age 15. This milestone, currently reflected in live daily ratings, marks his entry into the world’s top 50 players and cements his status as the highest-rated 12-, 13-, and 14-year-old in the history of the game.

Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus Against Elite Opponents

The achievement follows a string of high-profile victories for the teenager. Erdogmus secured his place in the “2700 club” by defeating former Fide World Champion Veselin Topalov in a match in which he displayed exceptional technical precision. This success adds to an impressive resume that includes a 4-2 win over eight-time Russian champion Peter Svidler and a victory against France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.

His creative brilliance was previously showcased during the 2025 Fide Grand Swiss, where a game dubbed the “Turkish Immortal” earned global acclaim for its sacrificial conclusion. Despite his rapid ascent, Erdogmus remains focused on future milestones, stating his next objective is to reach the 2800 mark.

World-Class Coaching and Global Support

Behind the prodigy’s success is a robust support system. He is coached by former world No. 2 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, who believes Erdogmus has the potential to become the first player ever to reach a rating of 2900. Financial backing from Turkish billionaire Evren Ucok has also been instrumental, providing the resources necessary for elite coaching and international competition.

The chess world’s elite have taken notice; Magnus Carlsen has described Erdogmus as “the best 14-year-old the world has ever seen.” The two are set to compete in the upcoming TePe Sigeman tournament in Sweden this May, where Erdogmus will face Carlsen in a rare classical format appearance.

Surprise Results at the European Championship

In related news, the 2026 European Individual Championship in Poland concluded with a historic upset. Roman Dehtiarov, a 17-year-old International Master from Ukraine, became the youngest winner and the first non-grandmaster to claim the title in the tournament’s 26-year history. Ranked 126th at the start, Dehtiarov’s victory automatically earned him the Grandmaster title and a spot in the 2027 World Cup.

source: TheGuardian