
Selectist Chess Cup Presented by Starbucks – Bahariye 2026
The Selectist Chess Cup Presented by Starbucks β Bahariye 2026 takes place on November 18β19, 2026, at Starbucks Bahariye in Istanbul. Organized by Selectist and Starbucks, the event offers six Swiss rounds of classical chess in two rating categories. The tournament awards βΊ70,000 in cash prizes at this individual branch.
Each player receives 60 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. Moreover, Category A counts toward FIDE Standard ELO and Turkish UKD; Category B counts toward UKD only. The field is limited to 32 players per category, or 64 overall.
A valid Turkish Chess Federation license, age eligibility and advance payment are required. In addition, the Bahariye event has its own registration link and venue, separate from the other Starbucks competition and the Selectist Chess Cup 2 at Frankhan on November 21β22.
π Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| π Title | Selectist Chess Cup Presented by Starbucks β Bahariye 2026 |
| π Dates | November 18β19, 2026 |
| π City & Country | Istanbul, TΓΌrkiye |
| βοΈ Organizer | Selectist and Starbucks |
| ποΈ Venue | Starbucks Bahariye, CaferaΔa, General AsΔ±m GΓΌndΓΌz Caddesi No:28, 34714 KadΔ±kΓΆy, Istanbul, TΓΌrkiye |
| β±οΈ Time Control | 60 minutes plus 30 seconds per move |
| π’ Rounds | 6, Swiss system in both categories |
| β Rating Status | A: FIDE ELO Standard and UKD; B: UKD only |
| βοΈ Sections | Category A and Category B |
| π₯ Capacity | 32 in each category; maximum 64 |
| π° Entry Fee | βΊ1,000 |
| π Prize Fund | βΊ70,000 |
| π Application Cutoff | Tue, Nov 17 Β· 6 PM (Istanbul time) |
| π¨ββοΈ Director | Filiz BegΓΌm YeΕilΓΌrdΓΌ Β· +90 533 772 33 54 |
| π Regulations | Official TSF regulation PDF |
| π Registration | Official TSF tournament form |
| βοΈ Payment Confirmation | poseidon.satranc.sk1@gmail.com |
β±οΈ Time Control & Pairings
Each category follows a separate six-round individual Swiss system. Players start with 60 minutes and gain 30 seconds after every move. Consequently, games count as classical chess, and the organizer expects participants to follow the full FIDE Laws of Chess and current Turkish Chess Federation tournament procedures.
Category A counts for FIDE ELO Standard and TSF UKD ratings. However, Category B counts for TSF UKD only, so the second group is not a FIDE-rated event. Moreover, the competition imposes a 15-minute default time and does not restrict draw offers by move number.
The Turkish Chess Federation governs tie-breaks and appeals through its published procedures. In addition, the organizer covers the ELO contribution fee. Successful online application and valid payment documentation are essential because the 32-player limit in each section is enforced in order of completed registrations.
π Prize Fund
This Bahariye tournament has its own βΊ70,000 cash prize fund, independent of the other Starbucks event. Furthermore, its prize chart includes a best-female-player cash award in each category, alongside places one to three.
| Prize Category | Category A / Category B |
|---|---|
| π₯ First | βΊ20,000 / βΊ6,000 |
| π₯ Second | βΊ15,000 / βΊ5,000 |
| π₯ Third | βΊ10,000 / βΊ4,000 |
| β Best female player | βΊ7,500 / βΊ2,500 |
| Category subtotals | βΊ52,500 / βΊ17,500 |
| Overall cash total | βΊ70,000 |
Each category’s champion and best female player also receive a trophy. Likewise, the top three finishers and the best female player earn medals. These awards do not create separate women’s pairing sections. The official cash lines reconcile to βΊ70,000 without relying on entry-fee assumptions.
βοΈ Sections / Groups
Players select Category A or Category B according to their established ratings. Importantly, holding any FIDE ELO rating places a player within the published Category A definition, rather than Category B merely because the numerical ELO is low.
| Category | Eligibility and Rating |
|---|---|
| A β ELO and UKD | Any FIDE ELO-rated player, or a player without FIDE ELO whose Turkish UKD is at least 1400. |
| B β UKD only | No FIDE ELO, with UKD 1399 or below or no playing-strength rating. |
| Maximum ELO | 2399 or below for eligible rated participants. |
| Year of birth | 2020 or earlier. |
| License | TSF license validated for 2026β2027; eligible foreign players need a home-federation FIDE ID. |
| Playing capacity | 32 participants per section; applications accepted in completed registration order. |
The entry categories are not separate age groups. Instead, they distinguish FIDE-rated from lower national-rating players. Therefore, applicants should disclose both their FIDE and UKD ratings and let the organizer confirm the correct section before paying.
π Schedule
All times use Istanbul local time (TRT, UTC+3). Each day includes three rounds. The registration desk operates only on the first morning; therefore, players must attend check-in and the technical meeting before Round 1.
| Date & Local Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Wed, Nov 18 Β· 9β9:30 AM | Registration verification |
| Wed, Nov 18 Β· 9:30 AM | Technical meeting |
| Wed, Nov 18 Β· 9:50 AM | Round 1 pairings |
| Wed, Nov 18 Β· 10 AM | Round 1 |
| Wed, Nov 18 Β· 1:30 PM | Round 2 |
| Wed, Nov 18 Β· 5 PM | Round 3 |
| Thu, Nov 19 Β· 10 AM | Round 4 |
| Thu, Nov 19 Β· 1:30 PM | Round 5 |
| Thu, Nov 19 Β· 5 PM | Round 6 |
| Thu, Nov 19 Β· after R6 | Awards ceremony after the final game |
The official timetable lists the last round at 5 PM on Thu, Nov 19, but gives no exact event finish time. Consequently, travelers should leave time for a long game and an awards ceremony rather than expect to depart immediately after the scheduled round start.
π Registration
First, use the official ${E(d.name)} registration form and select your eligible category. Then, follow the transfer instructions in the official regulations and email the receipt to poseidon.satranc.sk1@gmail.com. The organizer may remove an application after 24 hours if the receipt does not arrive.
| Requirement | Official Terms |
|---|---|
| Entry contribution | βΊ1,000 per player; no refund for absence |
| Last application | Tue, Nov 17 Β· 6 PM local time |
| Category field | 32 players in A and 32 in B |
| Player licensing | 2026β2027 TSF license |
| Age limit | Born in 2020 or earlier |
| Payment | Follow organizer bank details in official PDF, then email transfer receipt |
| Foreign entrants | TSF license plus home-federation FIDE ID |
| Competition director | Filiz BegΓΌm YeΕilΓΌrdΓΌ Β· +90 533 772 33 54 |
Importantly, completing the TSF form does not override the entry limit. Moreover, a paid entrant must still comply with the license and rating rules. The organizer covers the FIDE rating contribution but does not waive the published βΊ1,000 tournament fee.
The external Bahariye registration link remains inside this description only. Therefore, the separate MyChess.Events Register for this tournament button retains its ordinary interest form and has no external registration URL.
ποΈ Organizer
Selectist produces events and operates the Frankhan cultural venue in Istanbul. During November 2026 it works with Starbucks to present two separate weekday chess tournaments, followed by its larger Selectist Chess Cup 2. The club AvcΔ±lar Poseidon SatranΓ§ Spor KulΓΌbΓΌ handles the payment process described in the federation regulations.
The existing full Selectist organizer page already explains the business and its chess activities. Consequently, this event reuses that published profile instead of making a duplicate. Filiz BegΓΌm YeΕilΓΌrdΓΌ serves as tournament director, and TSF Istanbul publishes the formal regulations.
π Venue
Play takes place at Starbucks Bahariye, CaferaΔa, General AsΔ±m GΓΌndΓΌz Caddesi No:28, 34714 KadΔ±kΓΆy, Istanbul, TΓΌrkiye. This is a Starbucks cafΓ©, not Frankhan, and the organizer’s map pin identifies its exact position. The Starbucks TΓΌrkiye directory confirms the branch’s published street details.
The Bahariye branch stands at General AsΔ±m GΓΌndΓΌz Caddesi No:28 in KadΔ±kΓΆy, on Istanbul’s Asian side. In addition, the surrounding pedestrian shopping streets link it with the KadΔ±kΓΆy metro and ferry district.
The regulations identify the branch but do not publish a dedicated chess-room floor or special parking arrangement. Therefore, follow the event team’s venue instructions and verify any specific accessibility requirements before traveling.
π¨ Accommodation
The five individually listed Booking.com properties below provide options in the wider Bahariye district. Their Stay22 links default to 2026-11-17 check-in and 2026-11-20 checkout, allowing a travel day before and after the two playing dates. Travelers may change dates, occupancy and room type.
The βfromβ hotel prices come from publicly indexed reference listings for other unspecified dates; they are not live quotes or guaranteed for November 2026. Therefore, the amount at checkout and the availability on tournament days may differ. In addition, some hotels require a taxi or local transit to the chess venue.
| Hotel & Reference Price | Description & Booking |
|---|---|
| Dekalb Hotel Istanbul
Reference from $100 / night |
KadΔ±kΓΆy, Istanbul. Contemporary central KadΔ±kΓΆy hotel. Check availability & book |
| Δ°kiz Konak Boutique Hotel
Reference from $88 / night |
KadΔ±kΓΆy, Istanbul. Boutique accommodation close to local transport. Check availability & book |
| Moja City Hotel
Reference from $113 / night |
KadΔ±kΓΆy, Istanbul. Compact modern hotel near the ferry district. Check availability & book |
| Dugi Hotel
Reference from $110 / night |
KadΔ±kΓΆy, Istanbul. Small local hotel in the KadΔ±kΓΆy district. Check availability & book |
| Khalkedon Hotel Istanbul
Reference from $103 / night |
KadΔ±kΓΆy, Istanbul. Central property with a rooftop breakfast area. Check availability & book |
No special Selectist chess accommodation rate is announced for this location. Moreover, a room booking does not cover the tournament entry contribution. Compare distances to the actual Starbucks address rather than to Istanbul’s general city center.
π½οΈ Nearby Restaurants & CafΓ©s
The Starbucks branch offers cafΓ© refreshments, while independent restaurants nearby can help with meals. However, each 60+30 game can take considerable time, so players should leave enough time to return before the next pairing.
| Restaurant or CafΓ© | Address & Information |
|---|---|
| YanyalΔ± Fehmi LokantasΔ± | YaΔlΔ±kΓ§Δ± Δ°smail Sokak No:1, OsmanaΔa, KadΔ±kΓΆy. Traditional Turkish restaurant with a long history. More information. |
| Γiya SofrasΔ± | GΓΌneΕlibahΓ§e Sokak No:43, CaferaΔa, KadΔ±kΓΆy. Regional Anatolian cuisine and rotating daily dishes. More information. |
Restaurant service and menus are independent of the chess event. Consequently, confirm weekday opening hours before leaving the playing venue. In addition, the organizer has not announced that an external meal is included in the entry fee.
π How to Get There
The correct destination is Starbucks Bahariye, CaferaΔa, General AsΔ±m GΓΌndΓΌz Caddesi No:28, 34714 KadΔ±kΓΆy, Istanbul, TΓΌrkiye. Use the official venue pin instead of the Frankhan address from the separate Selectist Chess Cup 2. Moreover, allow additional time for weekday Istanbul traffic and the 9 AM registration desk.
| Travel Origin | Practical Route |
|---|---|
| Sabiha GΓΆkΓ§en Airport | Take the M4 metro toward KadΔ±kΓΆy; continue to General AsΔ±m GΓΌndΓΌz Caddesi on foot. |
| Istanbul Airport | Plan an airport-to-KadΔ±kΓΆy transfer by taxi or transit; confirm interchange details before travel. |
| KadΔ±kΓΆy ferry piers | Walk through central KadΔ±kΓΆy toward the Bahariye pedestrian street, General AsΔ±m GΓΌndΓΌz Caddesi. |
| KadΔ±kΓΆy metro | Exit M4 KadΔ±kΓΆy station and follow the central KadΔ±kΓΆy walking route to number 28. |
Use the Metro Istanbul and IETT bus services websites for live timetables. The tournament does not advertise an airport shuttle or an event transfer service.
βΉοΈ Other Information
The Bahariye Selectist Chess Cup stands alone as one two-day tournament with two rating sections and βΊ70,000 in cash prizes. Category A earns FIDE ELO and UKD results, whereas Category B earns UKD results only. The other Starbucks event and the Frankhan chess competition have different registration forms and venue addresses.
The regulations also require a valid TSF license, timely confirmation of payment, age eligibility and compliance with the 15-minute default rule. Finally, check the official ${E(d.name)} regulations, specific online registration and Istanbul TSF announcement before the first round.
Tournament organizer
Selectist
Selectist is an Istanbul-based event production and cultural programming company working across live music, art, design, and special events. Based in KarakΓΆy,β¦
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Hotels Near the Venue
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