On October 20, 2025, representatives from Kazakhstan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan gathered in Astana to sign a significant memorandum aimed at establishing the Chess Association of Turkic-Speaking Countries (TSCCA). This landmark agreement outlines the framework for a new organization that will unify the chess federations within the Turkic world. The next step involves legal registration, paving the way for the association to commence full operations.
Leadership and Objectives of TSCCA
Ilaha Gadimova, a prominent former Azerbaijani chess player who has transitioned into a sports administrative role, has been nominated as the Secretary General of the TSCCA. The conception of this association emerged during the 45th Chess Olympiad and the FIDE General Assembly held in Budapest in September 2024, where the participating nations collectively decided to create a structure aligned with FIDE.
The primary objective of the TSCCA is to enhance collaboration among the national federations, share valuable expertise, organize significant tournaments, and expand programs targeted at children and youth. A crucial focus will be on promoting chess within educational institutions, including schools and universities, to cultivate the next generation of chess players.
The signing event coincided with the upcoming 2nd Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities and featured notable attendees such as FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Kazakhstan Chess Federation President Timur Turlov. Officials emphasized that the region’s rich chess heritage and well-established schools serve as a robust foundation for collaborative projects that fuse sporting aspirations with cultural connections.
The association plans to establish its headquarters in Turkistan, a city celebrated as the cultural capital of the Turkic world. Turkey will hold the presidency of the TSCCA until the end of 2025, after which Kazakhstan is slated to assume leadership in 2026.
With a collective population of approximately 170 million and over 100 grandmasters among its member nations, the TSCCA is anticipated to significantly bolster the presence of chess in the region while enhancing its international visibility. Through this new alliance, the Turkic-speaking countries aim to foster a vibrant chess community that thrives on shared knowledge and mutual support.