The Istanbul Go Tournament celebrated its 25th edition this year with the participation of many strong players from home and abroad. The Tournament hosted 130 players from 8 countries this year as a European Grand Prix Bonus C Tournament giving out awards to 30 individual players.
Stjepan Medak (6 Dan) took first place and the winner’s plaque home to Croatia. Last year’s champion, Ulaş Ören (5 Dan), took second place after a fateful defeat in the 4th round. Last year’s 5th place holder Altan Kuntay (4 Dan) took revenge from Özgür Değirmenci (5 Dan) in the second round to secure third place this year. 6 players at the same MMS with 3 wins each were placed by their SOS and SOSOS, giving Roko Crvelin (4 Dan) fourth place and Hataycan Özgür (5 Dan) fith place.
Final Standings
- 🏆 Stjepan Medak
- 🥈 Ulaş Ören
- 🥉 Altan Kuntay
- 🥉Roko Crvelin
- 🥉Hataycan Özgür
Other Awards
Playing against three different Dan level players and yet winning 4 out of 5 games Doğukan Sarıkaya (1 Kyu) 🎖, was awarded the Fighting Spirit Prize for not shying away from but rising up to the challenge.
With 5 full victories on his record Güney Barsbey (20 Kyu)🏅 recieved the Young Star Medal and Prize along side, Nilde Yıldız (20 Kyu) 🏅, Ege Üner (20 Kyu) 🏅, and Andrei Luca Heermeryck (1 Kyu)🏅 who each had four wins.
Another special prize went to the ladies: the Star Woman medal, Ariane Ougier (5 Dan) received the award as the best female player, Seval Altuğ (1 Dan) as the best Turkish female player and Lidia Agafitei (3 Kyu) shared the prize with Elena Ortilla Tarita Cimpeanu (12 Kyu) as the best performing female players.
Two players who won all five of their games, Derya Kaptan (20 Kyu) and Tufan Baran Ilıcalı (7 Kyu), together with Aksel Deniz Akçer (20 Kyu), Elif Öztaş (17 Kyu), Berke Özücer (16 Kyu), Mete Güney (15 Kyu), Ömer Mahmudlu (14 Kyu), Serhat Türktan (13 Kyu), Ali Fırat Bulca (12 Kyu), Lucatoni Karamatic (12 Kyu), Enes Sabit Kılıç (10 Kyu), Ahmet Emir Aydın (9 Kyu), Sarp Ege Yılmaz (5 Kyu), Doğan Ergezen (2 Kyu), Umut Erşahince (2 Kyu) and Serdar Laçin (2 Kyu), who each scored four victories, were also recognized and selected prizes from the awards table.
Members and players who visited without competing also contributed with their presence and conversations, enriching the social atmosphere.
We warmly thank everyone who showed interest, participated, or supported the event — especially our sponsors, who made this tournament possible.
Further details can be found on the 25th International Istanbul Go Tournament page.