Gökyay Chess Museum

Akın Gökyay, chairman of the board of the leading Turkish office furniture company Nurus, is an avid chess enthusiast who began collecting chess sets in 1975. With significant financial means, he established a foundation to support his collection, which is housed in a beautifully restored building representative of the traditional Ankara houses of the Hamamönü district.

On the ground floor, visitors can explore a variety of themed chess sets, from European comic heroes such as Asterix and Lucky Luke to curious sets commemorating the Gulf War, featuring figures like Donald Rumsfeld, Tony Blair, George Bush, and Saddam Hussein. There are also many exquisitely crafted sets made from diverse materials and in various artistic styles.

Upstairs, the collection showcases chess sets depicting peoples of many nationalities. Additional spaces include rooms for playing chess, a café with a charming courtyard, and a well-stocked gift shop.