How to Get a Chess License in Turkey (2026)

Short answer: You get a chess license in Turkey by applying to your Provincial or District Directorate of Youth and Sports. The first license is free and needs an Athlete Health Status Document from e-Nabız, 2 passport photos and, under 18, a parental consent form. To stay valid for tournaments, it needs a visa every season, which costs 430 TL in 2026-2027.

Last updated: 1 November 2026. Compiled for the 2026-2027 season from Turkish Chess Federation sources.

Trophies from chess tournaments, with chess boards set up behind them

What is a chess license, and who needs one?

A chess license shows that a player is registered with the Turkish Chess Federation (TSF). A child who only takes lessons or plays online doesn't need one. It becomes necessary for official tournaments, whose announcements ask for a license with a current visa.

The license is issued once and the visa is renewed each season. The federation season runs from 16 September to 15 September of the following year.

Which documents are needed in 2026-2027?

Procedure	Documents	Fee
First license	Athlete Health Status Document, 2 passport photos, parental consent form if under 18	Free
Visa renewal	Athlete Health Status Document, payment receipt with the Turkish ID number in the description	430 TL
Visa in an exempt province	Athlete Health Status Document; no receipt, in-person application	Free
Club change or switch to an individual license	The above, plus a consent document from the current club	See the federation's current fee schedule

Directorates usually ask for a copy of your ID as well. Templates are in the federation's License Information System. Foreign players pay an amount set separately in the federation's instructions.

How to get a chess license, step by step

Work out which procedure you need. A first license, a visa on an existing license, or a club change? The documents and the fee depend on it.
Get the Athlete Health Status Document from e-Nabız. In e-Nabız, open the menu and choose Sporcu Sağlık Durum Belgelerim. It is issued automatically if the system finds you fit; otherwise you are referred to an authorized health facility.
Prepare your documents. A first license needs the health status document, 2 passport photos and, under 18, a parental consent form. Directorates usually ask for a copy of your ID as well.
Pay the fee if you need a visa. Pay 430 TL to the federation's license account with the Turkish ID number in the description. A first license and the exempt provinces skip this step.
Apply to the Directorate of Youth and Sports. Hand your documents to the license unit of your provincial or district directorate.
Check your license. About 2 hours later, confirm that the license is active in the Lisans Sorgu menu at lisans.tsf.org.tr.

After the license

A license opens the door to official tournaments. Before the first one, practice writing notation together, and use our UKD calculator to see how a result would change a rating.

Frequently asked questions

Is getting a chess license in Turkey free?

Yes, for the first license. Turkish citizens getting a chess license for the first time pay nothing. In the 2026-2027 season, the only payment is the annual visa, which costs 430 TL.

Where do I apply for a chess license?

Since 16 September 2022, athlete license, visa and transfer procedures have been run by the Provincial and District Directorates of Youth and Sports. You apply to the license unit of your local directorate.

Does a chess license have to be renewed every year?

Yes. The license is issued once, but it needs a visa every season to stay valid for tournaments. The federation season runs from 16 September to 15 September of the following year.

Do I need a medical report for a chess license?

You need a health status document, not a full medical board report. Chess is in Group C of the Athlete Health Reports Regulation. You get the document through e-Nabız: it is issued automatically if the system finds you fit, and otherwise you are referred to an authorized health facility.

How can I check my license and visa status?

Use the Lisans Sorgu menu in the federation's License Information System (lisans.tsf.org.tr). A license shows as active about 2 hours after the application.

Which provinces are exempt from the visa fee?

In the 2026-2027 season, athletes registered in 23 provinces of Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia pay no visa fee: Adıyaman, Ağrı, Ardahan, Batman, Bingöl, Bitlis, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Erzincan, Erzurum, Gaziantep, Hakkari, Iğdır, Kars, Kilis, Malatya, Mardin, Muş, Siirt, Şanlıurfa, Şırnak, Tunceli and Van.

Does a child need parental consent for a chess license?

Yes. Athletes under 18 need a parental consent form. A template is available in the federation's License Information System.

What do I need to change clubs or switch to an individual license?

You need a consent document from your current club. A club license also requires an approved document showing the athlete's link to the club. Templates are in the License Information System.