Karpowership has announced the launch of Future Grandmasters, a new social impact programme implemented by its corporate social responsibility arm, One World Karadeniz Foundation.
With Turkish Grandmaster Ediz Gürel joining the initiative as its international brand ambassador, the programme will identify and support promising chess players under the age of 16 across Karpowership’s countries of operation.
Future Grandmasters was first piloted in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, with a chess tournament held on April 11, 2026.
The tournament’s top three finishers became the first young players selected for the programme and earned the opportunity to receive one year of training and mentorship from Grandmaster, Nebojša Nikčević.
Building on its first implementation in Ivory Coast, Karpowership plans to adapt Future Grandmasters across its other countries of operation.
Working with local partners, the company will seek out promising young chess players and create opportunities to support their long-term development.
“Chess teaches young people patience, resilience, and the confidence to make decisions under pressure, qualities that extend far beyond the board. Following the selection of our first three players, we now aim to discover more young people who are passionate about chess across the countries where Karpowership operates and give them the guidance and opportunities they need to grow, both as athletes and as individuals,” said Zeynep Harezi Yılmaz, Chief Commercial Officer of Karpowership.
Karpowership has built a strong track record of supporting education and youth development in Ghana.
Its initiatives include a long-term scholarship programme for engineering students, the renovation of St. Mark Anglican School in Essikado, and a mentorship programme that recently brought together 70 female engineering students with industry professionals.
The company also continues to involve young people in environmental sustainability through community-based awareness and tree-planting activities.
These efforts have contributed to the planting of 15,000 trees across Ghana, while encouraging students and local communities to take an active role in environmental protection.
Looking ahead, Ghana is among the countries being considered for the future expansion of Future Grandmasters.
Building on Karpowership’s existing work in education, mentorship and youth development, the programme would seek to identify promising chess players under the age of 16 and provide them with access to structured training, mentorship and opportunities for long-term development.
Guided by its One World vision, Karpowership remains committed to creating lasting social value and meaningful opportunities for young people in the communities it serves.