Michael Rahal

Born in England in 1970, Michael Rahal is an International Master and a FIDE trainer. Currently living in Barcelona (Spain), Michael is fluent in English and Spanish and has been coaching chess players of all ages and levels for more than 25 years. More recently he has developed his career as a chess broadcaster, covering both online and on-site many top events on Playchess and the ICC, including a leg of the recent FIDE Grand Prix. YoBorn in England in 1970, Michael Rahal is an International Master and a FIDE trainer. Currently living in Barcelona (Spain), Michael is fluent in English and Spanish and has been coaching chess players of all ages and levels for more than 25 years. More recently he has developed his career as a chess broadcaster, covering both online and on-site many top events on Playchess and the ICC, including a leg of the recent FIDE Grand Prix. You can also follow him on Youtube where more than 10.000 subscribers enjoy his instructive chess videos.u can also follow him on Youtube where more than 10.000 subscribers enjoy his instructive chess videos.

Recent news

Showdown in Singapore: Ding Liren v. Dommaraju Gukesh

11/19/2024 – The 2024 FIDE World Championship match, sponsored by Google, will unfold in Singapore from November 23 to December 13, pitting reigning champion Ding Liren against 18-year-old prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh. The duo will battle across 14 classical games for the lion's share of a $2.5 million prize fund. Ding, a seasoned champion, faces Gukesh, the youngest-ever challenger and a rising star in chess. With high stakes, expert analysis and unpredictable outcomes, this clash promises to captivate chess enthusiasts worldwide.
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FIDE World Cup: Opening ceremony and press conference

7/29/2023 – Packed to the brim with players, guests, officials and staff, the Baku Convention Centre hosted the festivities, including speeches, music, dance, as the 2023 edition of the FIDE World Cup was inaugurated in the capital of Azerbaijan. In the open section, Ivan Cheparinov, the top player starting in round 1, as well as Magnus Carlsen, the top player overall and joining in round 2, will start with white in the first game. | Photo: Stev Bonhage / FIDE
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Lei Tingjie convincingly wins the Women’s Candidates Final

4/4/2023 – With a final score of 3½-1½, Lei Tingjie defeated Tan Zhongyi in the Women's Candidates Final. Lei will challenge Ju Wenjun in the upcoming Women’s World Championship match, scheduled to take place in July. In game 5, Lei obtained a fine attacking win, which topped off her dominant performance in Chongqing. | Photos: FIDE / Liu Yi
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Women’s Candidates: Lei grinds down Tan and ties the match

3/31/2023 – Employing impressive technique in the second game, Lei Tingjie relentlessly jumped back into the match at the Women’s Candidates Final in Chongqing. After nearly six hours of play and seventy gruelling moves, with everything pointing towards a draw, a last-minute mistake by Tan Zhongyi in severe time trouble put the 1-1 result on the scoreboard. | Photos: FIDE
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Tan Zhongyi draws first blood in Women’s Candidates Final

3/29/2023 – Tan Zhongyi takes the lead in the six-game Women’s Candidates Final after defeating Lei Tingjie in one of the most exciting games of the year. In a double-edged struggle that emerged out of an English Opening, which saw Tan giving up a couple of pawns early on, Lei was the one making the last mistake. | Photo: FIDE
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Michael Rahal: My most memorable game

6/27/2020 – A passionate educator, Michael Rahal has spent the last 25 years or so teaching chess to kids and adults of all levels. The International Master lives in Barcelona and collaborates both with the Catalonian and the Spanish Chess Federations. Nowadays, Michael does not play as many classical tournaments as he did in the past, but he still remembers the first time he beat a GM, almost thirty years ago!
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