Ediz Gürel (b. 2008, Bursa) is a Turkish chess player and national athlete holding the title of Grandmaster (GM). According to FIDE records, he represents Türkiye on the international stage. Throughout his career, he has won various world and European championships in age and open categories, becoming the first Turkish chess player to defeat the reigning world champion in classical chess.

Ediz Gürel was born in Bursa in 2008. His father is a civil engineer. Gürel was introduced to chess at the age of seven, when his kindergarten teacher noticed his interest and directed him to a chess course. This marked the beginning of his chess career. Quickly drawing attention with his talent, Gürel was selected for the national team’s youth system at age eight. The young athlete considers his mother a major source of inspiration and has stated that he loves chess for its competitive nature and tactical depth. According to Gürel, chess has taught him to approach events with greater calmness and patience.^【1】

Gürel continues his high school education in the science stream and has received support from his school regarding participation in chess tournaments. During high school, he also considered switching to the equal-weight division and plans to pursue academic education in fields such as business or engineering alongside his chess career.

^{Ediz Gürel (}Anadolu Ajansı⁾

Ediz Gürel began his professional chess career with international successes across various age categories. In 2023, he finished first on board one in the Croatian Super Chess League.^【2】 That same year, he played for Turkish Airlines in the European Club Cup and won silver with the Turkish National Team at the World Under-16 Chess Olympiad.^【3】 Aiming for steady progress in his career, Gürel defeated the then-world champion Dommaraju Gukesh in classical chess during the seventh round of the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament.^【4】 He has also gained experience playing against top players such as Jorden van Foreest and has reached a classical rating of 2646.^【5】

To maintain focus during matches, Gürel uses a technique of covering the area around his eyes with his hands before play. His primary goals include surpassing a 2750 Elo rating, entering the top 10 in the world rankings, and ultimately becoming world champion.^【6】

• 2020 Prague International Chess Festival: Second place in the Young Talents category.^【7】
• 2021 FIDE Online Rapid: World Champion in the Under-14 Open Category and winner of the Super Final.^【8】
• 2022 World Blitz Chess Championship: World Champion in the Under-14 Open Category.^【9】
• 2022 Rhodes World Rapid Chess Championship: Second place in the Under-14 Open Category.^【10】
• 2022 European Youth Chess Championship: European runner-up in the Under-14 Open Category.^【11】
• 2023 FIDE World Cup: Defeated Grandmaster Velimir Ivić.^【12】
• 2024 Prague Chess Festival: Awarded the title of Grandmaster (GM) on 6 March 2024 following his performance in the tournament.^【13】
• 2025 World Youth Chess Championship: World Champion in the "17-year-old blitz" category at the 9–17 Age Group Rapid and Blitz Championship held in Antalya.^【14】