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

Women's World Cup: Mgeladze and Wang grab upset wins

7/8/2025 – The second game of round one at the FIDE Women’s World Cup brought high tension as players fought to secure qualification or force tiebreaks. Many favourites, including Carissa Yip and Bella Khotenashvili, advanced with clean 2-0 wins, while others will return for rapid playoffs. Meanwhile, top seeds have started arriving ahead of their debut. Notable upsets included the early exits of IM Deysi Cori and IM Pham Le Thao Nguyen. | Photos: Anna Shtourman / FIDE

Women's World Cup: Most favourites start with wins

7/6/2025 – The FIDE Women's World Cup got underway at the Grand Bellagio Batumi Convention & Casino Hotel, where 86 players contested the first game of round one. While most favourites scored early wins, several matches remain finely balanced ahead of game two. A few surprises included resilient draws by lower-rated players against elite opposition. The day began with a ceremonial first move by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Georgian Federation President Akaki Iashvili. | Photos: Anna Shtourman, Andrei Anosov / FIDE
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FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich opens 2025 Women's World Cup

7/6/2025 – The Women's World Cup was officially opened in Batumi with a gala evening of traditional Georgian music, dance and historical tributes to women's chess. Held at the Batumi Drama Theatre, the ceremony welcomed 107 players from 46 countries and featured speeches from FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Georgian Chess Federation President Akaki Iashvili. The event highlighted Georgia's deep-rooted chess heritage and set the tone for the competition ahead. | Photos: Polina Bovina
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Humpy wins Pune Women's GP on tiebreaks, ahead of Zhu

4/24/2025 – The final round of the Pune Women's Grand Prix ended in dramatic fashion, with Humpy Koneru and Zhu Jiner both winning their games to finish level on points. Humpy claimed overall victory on tiebreaks, while Zhu still has a chance to qualify for the Candidates in the final Grand Prix leg. Divya Deshmukh secured third place after drawing her last-round game. | Photo: Abhilash Shinde
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Women's GP Pune: Zhu bounces back, shares the lead with Humpy

4/23/2025 – Humpy Koneru narrowly escaped defeat against Alina Kashlinskaya in round eight of the Women's Grand Prix in Pune, salvaging a draw that keeps her tied for the lead with Zhu Jiner. Zhu delivered a strong recovery from Monday's loss, defeating Divya Deshmukh in a sharp game. The remaining games also featured tense moments, including a 116-move battle and a missed win in time trouble. | Photo: Abhilash Shinde
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Women's GP Pune: Humpy beats Zhu, leads with two rounds to go

4/21/2025 – Humpy Koneru seized the lead at the Women's Grand Prix in Pune with a crucial win over Zhu Jiner in Monday's round seven, turning the tournament standings on their head with just two rounds remaining. Divya Deshmukh also impressed, scoring a dominant victory to stay in contention ahead of her key clash with Zhu. While three other games ended in draws, they were far from uneventful, with tactical complications and endgame fortresses keeping things exciting across the board. | Photo: Abhilash Shinde
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Women's GP Pune: Zhu wins again, Humpy in sole second place

4/20/2025 – With three rounds to go in the Women's Grand Prix in Pune, Zhu Jiner and Humpy Koneru remain as the frontrunners to take the title, both winning their games in round six. They are now set to face each other in a crucial round-seven clash, with Humpy needing a win to overtake the tournament leader. Players enjoyed a cultural break on Sunday ahead of the final push for the title. | Photo: Abhilash Shinde
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Women's GP Pune: Zhu dodges a bullet, still leads

4/19/2025 – Despite expectations of a quiet day before the rest break, round six of the Women's Grand Prix in Pune saw four hard-fought encounters and just one quick draw between Humpy Koneru and Harika Dronavalli. Vaishali Rameshbabu scored her first win of the event, while Nurgyul Salimova stunned Zhu Jiner with a brilliant queen sacrifice - though a win slipped away in time trouble. | Photo: Abhilash Shinde
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Women's GP Pune: Zhu sole leader, Humpy and Divya a half point back

4/18/2025 – Round four of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Pune saw a thrilling day of chess, with four decisive results and standout endgame performances from Indian stars Humpy Koneru and Divya Deshmukh. Zhu Jiner remains in the lead on 3½/4, closely followed by Humpy and Divya. The round featured impressive technical finishes, a near-win in a dramatic Harika–Vaishali draw, and strong showings from Salimova and Zhu. With five rounds remaining, the tournament remains wide open. | Photo: Abhilash Shinde
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Women's GP Pune: Divya and Zhu share the lead with 2/2

4/16/2025 – Drama unfolded in the second round of the Pune Women's Grand Prix as Vaishali Rameshbabu's crucial mistake - playing her bishop one move too soon - handed Divya Deshmukh her second consecutive victory. Meanwhile, Zhu Jiner demonstrated masterful rook endgame technique to defeat Munguntuul Batkhuyag, placing both winners at the top of the leaderboard with perfect scores. | Photo: Abhilash Shinde
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Anna Muzychuk wins Nicosia Grand Prix after gripping finale

3/25/2025 – Anna Muzychuk emerged as the winner of the Cyprus Women's Grand Prix, securing victory after a tense final round in which all games ended in draws. Tied with Zhu Jiner on 6/9, Muzychuk claimed the title based on tiebreak criteria, while the prize money and Grand Prix points were shared. The tournament concluded with several dramatic moments, including missed winning opportunities for Zhu and Olga Badelka. | Photos: Mark Livshitz
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Nicosia GP: Anna Muzychuk bounces back, joins Zhu Jiner in the lead

3/24/2025 – With a crucial victory over Elisabeth Paehtz, Anna Muzychuk rebounded from her previous loss to join Zhu Jiner in the lead at the Cyprus Women's Grand Prix. The final round promises an exciting showdown, with Muzychuk facing Harika Dronavalli and Zhu Jiner taking on Nana Dzagnidze. Meanwhile, Divya Deshmukh claimed her first tournament win against Olga Badelka, in a game that featured a ceremonial first move by Vishy Anand. | Photos: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Nicosia GP: Shake up at the top as Zhu regains the sole lead

3/23/2025 – Round 7 of the Women's Grand Prix in Nicosia saw three decisive games and a new leader emerge. Olga Badelka stunned Anna Muzychuk with a fierce attacking game, allowing Zhu Jiner to take the lead after her win against Divya Deshmukh. Nana Dzagnidze also bounced back, defeating Stavroula Tsolakidou with the black pieces. | Photos: FIDE / Mark Livshitz
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Nicosia GP: Harika and M. Muzychuk grab victories

3/22/2025 – Anna Muzychuk remains at the top of the Cyprus Women's Grand Prix after drawing with Zhu Jiner in round six. Zhu trails by half a point, with Aleksandra Goryachkina, Mariya Muzychuk and Harika Dronavalli close behind. Mariya secured her first win of the event, while Dronavalli took the full point against Dzagnidze. The remaining games ended in draws. With three rounds to go, the competition for the title remains wide open. | Photos: FIDE / Mark Livshitz
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Nicosia GP: Anna Muzychuk scores three wins in a row, leads

3/20/2025 – Anna Muzychuk extended her winning streak to three games, strengthening her lead in the Cyprus Women's Grand Prix with four rounds remaining. Zhu Jiner remains just half a point behind after drawing with Alexandra Goryachkina, now in third place. Zhu's performance has already pushed her into the world's top eight in the live ratings. Elisabeth Paehtz secured her first victory of the event, while the remaining games ended in draws. The players will enjoy a rest day before the competition resumes. | Photos: FIDE / Mark Livshitz
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Nicosia GP: Zhu Jiner sole leader, Anna Muzychuk scores first win

3/18/2025 – The third round of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Cyprus featured hard-fought games, with high accuracy scores across the board. Anna Muzychuk secured the only decisive result, defeating Nana Dzagnidze in a queen endgame that lasted 83 moves - the longest game of the tournament so far. The remaining matches ended in well-contested draws, reflecting the competitive nature of the event. Zhu Jiner maintained her tournament lead with 2½/3 points to her name. | Photos: FIDE / Mark Livshitz
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Nicosia GP: Zhu and Tsolakidou strike first

3/16/2025 – The first round of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Cyprus saw four closely contested games and two decisive results. Greece's Stavroula Tsolakidou defeated Germany's Elisabeth Paehtz, while China's Zhu Jiner (pictured) overcame Olga Badelka. The tournament, held at Hilton Nicosia, features a strong lineup, including Grand Prix leader Aleksandra Goryachkina and Ukrainian stars Anna and Mariya Muzychuk. | Photos: FIDE / Mark Livshitz
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Gukesh crowned 18th world champion: "I'm still this kid who loves chess"

12/15/2024 – In a stunning culmination of skill, resilience, and determination, 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju of Chennai lifted the coveted world chess champion's trophy in Singapore's exquisite Equarius Hotel Sentosa. Over a month of thrilling play, Gukesh's creativity and poise captivated fans worldwide, as he triumphed against defending champion Ding Liren in a fiercely contested 14-game match. The gala closing ceremony celebrated not just his extraordinary victory, but also the spirit of chess, uniting players and spectators across borders. | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
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