The European Chess Union (ECU) has accepted a donation of €30,000 from Evren Ucok, with the full amount earmarked for senior chess activities in 2027. The decision was taken at the first meeting of the newly elected ECU Board, held by teleconference on 17 August 2026, following the General Assembly elections in Bucharest in July.
The ECU publicly thanked Mr. Ucok for the contribution, which comes as the organisation steps up its investment in chess for older players across the continent.
Evren Ucok's speech to the European Chess Union
The donation follows Evren Ucok's speech at the ECU's 40th anniversary gala in Batumi on 11 October 2025, where he called for chess to be taught in primary schools, for the chess economy to grow, for tougher action against cheating and for a regular review of the Elo system — and pledged continued support for the ECU.
Read the full text of the speech →
A boost for the 2027 senior calendar
Alongside the donation, the Board approved a €10,000 contribution to each of the three major European senior championships planned for the coming season:
- European Senior Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship — Monaco, 10–14 January
- European Senior Team Chess Championship — Acqui Terme, Italy, 23 April – 3 May
- European Senior Individual Chess Championship — Chotowa, Poland, July
Together, these decisions represent one of the most substantial financial commitments to senior chess in the ECU's recent history, giving organisers and participants a stronger foundation for the 2027 events.
A new administration's first steps
The meeting marked the official start of the ECU's 2026–2030 term. Among other decisions, the Board announced new directors for youth chess and strategic projects, confirmed chairpersons for all ECU commissions, and established a new Chess Olympic Affairs Commission to align European chess more closely with the Olympic movement.
Evren Ucok's donation stands out among these decisions as a direct investment in the players who have long been the backbone of the chess community — and a clear signal that senior chess remains a priority in Europe.
Source: European Chess Union
