♟️ About Selectist

Selectist is an Istanbul-based event production and cultural programming company working across live music, art, design, and special events. Based in Karaköy, Beyoğlu, Türkiye, the organization is also involved in competitive chess through its Selectist Chess Cup tournaments and partnerships with local chess clubs and commercial sponsors. Unlike a conventional chess club or federation, Selectist contributes event management, venue infrastructure, production expertise, and partnerships. Its chess competitions follow the regulations of the Turkish Chess Federation (TSF) and the applicable FIDE Laws of Chess. This combination brings rated tournaments into a distinctive setting in central Istanbul.

🏛️ Frankhan — Selectist's Istanbul Venue

Frankhan by Selectist is a restored cultural venue in the Karaköy district of Beyoğlu. Selectist redeveloped the property during 2022–2023 in collaboration with Teğet Architecture and Novos Architecture. The venue opened for events in April 2023 and subsequently became a hub for music performances, artistic programs, and special gatherings. The complex includes a Main Room, with an announced capacity of approximately 650 guests, and the more intimate Sound Room, with a capacity of about 250 guests. Its flexible spaces, stage arrangements, and event-production facilities make Frankhan suitable for a variety of activities, including chess competitions with a smaller field. For tournament participants, Frankhan offers an unusual opportunity to play serious over-the-board chess in an established arts and events venue. The location places the competition within easy reach of the restaurants, public transport, and historic streets of central Istanbul.

🏆 Selectist Chess Cup — February 2026

The Selectist Chess Cup took place on February 21–22, 2026 at Frankhan. Selectist organized the event with Poseidon Satranç Spor Kulübü, with the tournament announcement published by the Istanbul Chess Provincial Representative. The competition offered A, B, and C rating categories, helping players of different strengths participate. The A and B sections counted toward FIDE ELO and Turkish national UKD ratings, while the C section counted toward UKD ratings. The announced playing tempo was 60 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, and the total advertised prize fund was ₺94,500. This first edition established the Selectist Chess Cup as an example of collaboration between an event-production business and organized chess. Rather than operating its own chess rating system, Selectist worked within the established Turkish tournament framework.

📅 November 2026 Chess Tournament Series

In November 2026, Selectist expanded its chess involvement through a series of competitions organized with Starbucks. Two FIDE-rated tournaments were announced for November 16–17 at Starbucks Sarıyer and November 18–19 at Starbucks Bahariye in Kadıköy. Each event advertised a ₺70,000 prize fund and separate rating categories. The series brings tournament chess to venues beyond conventional chess clubs and sports halls. It also demonstrates how Selectist works with recognizable brands to build events for new audiences while relying on published competition rules for registrations, eligibility, and pairings.

♟️ Selectist Chess Cup 2 — November 21–22, 2026

The second Selectist Chess Cup is scheduled for November 21–22, 2026 at Frankhan by Selectist in Beyoğlu. The competition is planned as a five-round Swiss-system tournament with 60 minutes plus a 30-second increment. Its results are intended to count toward both FIDE ELO and Turkish UKD ratings. Unlike the broader February event, this edition is designed for a limited field of up to 32 players, selected according to the highest eligible ratings. The announced ₺350,000 total cash prize fund is supported by Frankhan by Selectist, Starbucks, and Midas. The official tournament regulations determine eligibility, entry procedures, playing schedules, and awards. By combining a recognizable cultural venue with a compact competitive field and a substantial advertised prize fund, Selectist aims to make its chess events stand out within Istanbul's tournament scene.

🎭 Event Production, Arts and Partnerships

Chess forms one part of Selectist's broader portfolio. The organization creates and curates live experiences across music, visual culture, venue programming, and brand collaborations. Its established event series include Selectronic, Are You Disco?, and Word Is Bond. In the chess context, this background matters because it brings professional event coordination and commercial partnerships to competitions managed under official chess regulations. The 2026 Selectist Chess Cup events show how the group's venue and production capabilities can be used to bring together players, spectators, and partners around rated chess in Istanbul.