Mehmet Erdogmus, a 14-year-old Turkish grandmaster, begins a six-game rating match against Veselin Topalov on Saturday in Istanbul. The Bulgarian legend, a former World Chess Champion rated above 2700, agreed to the match after Erdogmus's federation issued the challenge earlier this year.
Topalov is 51 years old and has not played in a top-level invitational for several years. But his rating remains competitive and his theoretical knowledge, particularly in the Sicilian and Ruy Lopez, has not diminished over time. He will not be taking this lightly.
Erdogmus is 14. He earned his grandmaster title at 13. He plays with an aggression and tactical creativity that makes him dangerous against anyone regardless of rating or experience.
The format is six classical games with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment. Whether this is exhibition or competitive chess is open to debate. Topalov's name carries enormous weight. A win for Erdogmus would be a legitimate upset against one of the best players of the past 30 years. The match opened Saturday in Istanbul's chess center. Broadcast on Chess.com.