Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, 14, has become the youngest ever 2700-rated grandmaster in chess history, breaking the age record set a decade ago by China's Wei Yi at 15. The Turkish teenager achieved the milestone after crushing former world champion Veselin Topalov 5-1 in a match. His new rating currently appears in live daily ratings and will become official when Fide publishes its monthly list for May at the end of the month.
Erdogmus is already the highest rated 12-, 13- and 14-year-old ever, and the youngest to reach the world top 50. His victory over Topalov, who was world number one 20 years ago and a former Fide world champion, marks his third important match success. He previously defeated eight-time Russian champion Peter Svidler 4-2 and France's Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 3.5-2.5. One of his wins from the 2025 Fide Grand Swiss in Samarkand has been dubbed the 'Turkish Immortal' due to its brilliant sacrificial conclusion.
Russia's number one grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, accused Topalov of 'donating his rating' to Erdogmus, calling the Bulgarian a 'very wise choice of opponent' to maximise the teenager's chances of entering the elite 2700 club. Erdogmus said reaching 2700 'has been my dream for a long time' and that his next goal is to reach 2800. His coach, Azerbaijan's former world number two Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, aims for Erdogmus to become the first 2900 player, stating: 'I want Yagiz to be the first 2900 player. That's our goal.'
Erdogmus's next tournament is the TePe Sigeman competition in Malmö, Sweden, from 1-7 May, where the field includes world number one Magnus Carlsen, who has described Erdogmus as 'the best 14-year-old the world has ever seen'. Financial support for the prodigy comes from Turkish billionaire entrepreneur Evren Ucok, whose backing enables access to top coaching and grandmaster competition. Ucok also supports other international talents, including England's 11-year-old number one rated female, Bodhana Sivanandan.
