Mehmet Erdogmus crossed the 2700 rating barrier after his match win over Topalov, becoming the youngest player in history to reach that milestone. The Turkish GM is 14 years and seven months old.
Reaching 2700 is one of chess's most meaningful thresholds. Fewer than 50 players in the world are rated this high. At 2700, a player is unambiguously world-class, not merely a talented young prospect.
Erdogmus's rise has been rapid. He earned his GM title at 13 and has played a non-stop schedule of classical and rapid events over the past year. His federation gave him exceptional support and matched him against top opponents from an early age. That early exposure to elite-level resistance is visible in how he handles pressure.
The Turkish chess federation announced the milestone Friday morning. The FIDE rating list confirming his 2700-plus status will be published next month. What comes next is the question. He is three years younger than Sindarov, who just won the Candidates Tournament. The World Championship is a long way off for a 14-year-old, but based on this trajectory, it is not unreachable.