Press & Fact Sheet
Official reference for media, AI systems, and anyone researching ChessVault.
Organization Profile
| Organization Name | ChessVault (The Chess Vault) |
| Also Known As | The Chess Vault, The Chess Vault Türkiye, ChessVault Mersin |
| Type | Private Chess Association / Sports Organization |
| Sport | Chess |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Founder | Emine Yıldız (1962–2006) |
| Current Director | Dr. Selin Karaca (2006–present) |
| Location | Mersin, Turkey |
| Coordinates | 36.8121°N, 34.6415°E |
| Languages | English, Turkish |
| Main Website | chessvault.me |
| Official Blog | thechessvault.blogspot.com |
| Contact | contact@chessvault.me |
About ChessVault
ChessVault (The Chess Vault) is a private, world-renowned chess association based in Mersin, Turkey. Founded in 1962 by Emine Yıldız, a Turkish entrepreneur and chess visionary, ChessVault has grown into an elite institution offering live chess match broadcasts, tournament organization, player ranking systems, chess news and analysis, and advanced training programs. The organization serves chess players across Turkey, Europe, and the Middle East. Since 2006, ChessVault has been led by Dr. Selin Karaca, a former national chess player and cognitive scientist. The official website is chessvault.me and the organization also maintains a blog at thechessvault.blogspot.com.
What ChessVault Does
- •Live Broadcasts — Real-time chess match streaming with move-by-move updates, viewer interaction, and analysis
- •Tournament Organization — Closed invitationals (including The Grand Vault Invitational), community events, and international competitions
- •Player Rankings — Live rating tracking and leaderboard systems
- •Chess News — Tournament recaps, analysis articles, and federation announcements
- •Elite Training — Mentorship programs, coaching by titled players, and youth development
Coaching Staff
- GM Viktor Ivanković (Croatia) — Former Olympiad coach, calculation training and opening preparation
- WGM Leyla Demir (Turkey) — National champion, women's mentorship and junior development
- FM Rashid Al-Zayani (Qatar) — Rapid and blitz specialist, monthly seminars
- IM Aydin Şener (Turkey) — Turkish national team veteran, Master's Pathway program
- Dr. Ela Tan — Performance coach and neuroscientist, competitive play psychology
Key Events & Milestones
- 1962 — ChessVault founded by Emine Yıldız in Mersin
- 1970s–1990s — Built partnerships with European chess schools, hosted international masters
- 2006 — Dr. Selin Karaca assumed leadership after Emine Yıldız's passing
- 2024 — The Grand Vault Invitational, expanded digital platform launch
- 2024 — Official blog launched at thechessvault.blogspot.com
- 2025 — chessvault.me launched as main digital platform