She received the title of “Woman International Master” in chess, which she started at the age of four.

Gülenay Aydın, a national chess athlete and a student of the Translation and Interpreting Department at Yaşar University, earned her first “Woman Grandmaster” (WGM) norm after achieving the title of “Woman International Master” (WIM) in March. Aydın, who has been actively playing chess since the age of 4 and has achieved numerous successes, will gain the title of “Woman Grandmaster” (WGM) if she completes the three norms given by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

18-year-old Gülenay Aydın, who is part of the national chess team and a student at Yaşar University’s Translation and Interpreting Department, was introduced to chess by playing on a computer at the age of 4. Her talent was discovered by her teacher during a chess class at her kindergarten in Denizli, and her mother supported her passion by enrolling her in a chess course at the age of 7.

Quickly reaching a level to participate in championships, Gülenay ranked eighth in the under-9 category at the 2015 Turkey Small Chess Championship, which she participated in for the first time at the age of 8. Since then, Aydın has participated in the championship every year, winning first place in the Women’s category of the 2018 Turkey Small-Stars Team Chess Championship and in the under-14 category of the 2020 Turkey Stars Chess Championship.

Aydın, who became the European Runner-up at the 2020 European Online Age Group Chess Championship, won the championship with a perfect score at the 2022 World Under-16 Chess Olympiad, where she participated with the national team. Last March, she completed three norms and exceeded 2,200 points to be awarded the title of “Woman International Master” (WIM) by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), and she also earned her first “Woman Grandmaster” (WGM) norm. Gülenay Aydın will win the title of “Woman Grandmaster” (WGM) when she completes her norms to three and surpasses 2,300 points.

“There needs to be a break in the prejudice against female chess players”

Gülenay Aydın stated that her mother is her biggest supporter, saying, “I am very happy, and I hope for better. I want to earn the grandmaster title. This is a great achievement for women. There is a prejudice against female chess players because men’s scores are higher in chess. This prejudice needs to be broken.”