FIDE Trainer Awards 2024
Press release
The International Chess Federation (FIDE), together with the FIDE Trainers' Commission (TRG), is pleased to announce the winners of the 16th FIDE Trainer Awards 2024, recognizing and celebrating the exceptional achievements of the global chess training community.
These prestigious awards honour the outstanding work of trainers whose dedication and expertise have contributed significantly to chess development worldwide.
Vakhtang Karseladze Award
In this course, we will learn how to identify passively placed pieces in any given situation and how to improve their health by bringing them into active squares.Pavel Kotsur (Kazakhstan) receives the award for the best achievement by trainer(s) in women's and/or girl's competitions. Recognized for his productive work with the Kazakhstan women's national team, Kotsur served as both captain and coach, leading the team to a historic silver medal at the 45th Chess Olympiad.
Pavel Kotsur and Bibisara Assaubayeva | Photo: Maria Emelianova
Mikhail Botvinnik Award
Richard Rapport (Hungary) wins the Mikhail Botvinnik Award for the best achievement in Open Section competitions. Rapport served as Ding Liren's second in the 2024 World Championship Match. Although Ding lost the title, he mounted a valiant defence, with the match being decided only in the final game.
Richard Rapport | Photo: Eng Chin An
Mark Dvoretsky Award
Mikhail Kobalia (FIDE) has been chosen by the judges for the Mark Dvoretsky Award for the best achievement by a trainer in junior events. Over the past eight years, he has worked productively with GM Volodar Murzin. In 2024, his pupil made headlines by winning the World Rapid Championship.
Mikhail Kobalia helped Volodar Murzin to win the 2024 World Rapid Championship in New York | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Yuri Averbakh/Isaac Boleslavsky Book Award 2024
Great players always have their own successful variations in the opening.The Yuri Averbakh/Isaac Boleslavsky Award for the best instructional chess book goes to published in 2023 goes to Mastering Chess Endgame Calculation - Level 1, co-authored by Adrian Mikhalchishin & Tadej Sakelšek and published by Forward Chess.
The book is the first part of a trilogy designed to help chess players up to 1700 rating improve their endgame calculation skills. It covers all the important theoretical positions and techniques that are necessary for successful endgame play, and includes 400 carefully selected exercises to help readers practice and reinforce their understanding of these concepts. The exercises are arranged progressively. This book stands out for its clear and concise explanations of key concepts, combined with practical exercises.
Trainer Awards jury panel
The FIDE Trainers' Commission expresses its deepest appreciation to the distinguished jury members, whose expertise, experience, and integrity guided the selection process:
- GM Bassem Amin
- GM Mihail Marin
- IM Willy Iclicki
- GM Alonso Zapata
Their invaluable contribution ensured a fair, insightful and professional evaluation of all nominations.
The FIDE Trainers' Commission warmly congratulates all winners and extends sincere thanks to all federations, trainers and authors who submitted nominations. These awards highlight the vital role of trainers and educators in nurturing chess excellence across the world.
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