FMBaver Yilmaz

Baver Yilmaz was born in Mardin in 2012 and became fascinated by chess at four while watching his father teach his older brother. His father, Fahrettin, became his first teacher, working with him intensively until his first national age-group title. In 2019 he won all eleven games in Turkey's seven-year-old championship. His family then moved to Ankara to give him access to stronger coaching. He became European under-10 champion in Antalya in 2022. In interviews he has described friendships made through chess and the importance of sleep and preparation during demanding tournaments. He won the Turkish Cup in 2025. The Turkish federation reported that he completed his International Master requirements at the International Gazi Open in 2026 and also earned his first grandmaster norm in the national First League that year.