Vasif Durarbayli
A highly accomplished Azerbaijani Grandmaster known for his dynamic and high-pressing style of play. A former World Youth Chess Champion (U14) and European Youth Chess Champion (U18), he made history by becoming the youngest player ever to represent Azerbaijan’s Olympic chess team at just 14 years old. He has won the Azerbaijani Chess Championship twice (2021, 2023) and was among the top 16 players in the 2021 FIDE World Cup. As a coach, Vasif specializes in openings and dynamic play, helping students develop an aggressive and proactive approach to chess. In addition to coaching, he is well-known for his engaging chess streams and insightful blogs, where he shares advanced strategies and game analysis. Beyond competing at the highest level, he is a respected mentor and the author of “2021 in 52 Games.“
Nidjat Mamedov
Nidjat Mamedov is an International Grandmaster since 2006, a renowned chess coach, and an accomplished author. He has represented the Azerbaijani Men’s National Team in top-tier events, including the World Chess Olympiad and several World Championships. His impressive tournament victories include first-place finishes at the Azerbaijan Men’s Chess Championship, Prague Open, and Nakhchivan Open. As a coach, Mamedov has developed numerous national and international champions, helping his students achieve remarkable success. He is also the author of “64 Karenin Sırları” (Secrets of 64 Squares) and the two-volume series “Decisive Tactical Blows“. Currently, he serves as the Head Coach of the Youth National Team of Azerbaijan, specializing in opening preparation, positional strategy, and dynamic play.
Azer Mirzoev
International Grandmaster since 2001, Azer Mirzoev is a highly accomplished player and coach with over 20 years of experience. He has won multiple prestigious tournaments and has trained top talents, including IM Vugar Manafov and WIM Ayan Allahverdiyeva. His coaching expertise was instrumental in Azerbaijan-3’s victory in the 2nd rating group of the 2016 Chess Olympiad. A FIDE Trainer since 2016, he specializes in strategic decision-making, practical preparation, and endgame mastery.
Ulvi Bajarani
Azerbaijan Champion (2014), Texas Superfinals Champion (2021), National Team Member in the Chess Olympiad (2016), and author of approximately 80 chess books. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in openings, tactics, positional play, endgames, and chess psychology. His coaching has shaped talents ranging from Grandmasters to rising young players.
Farid Abbasov
International Grandmaster since 2007 and FIDE Trainer since 2015, he has won numerous prestigious tournaments across Europe and Asia. With over 25 years of coaching experience, he has trained several top-level players, including Grandmasters and International Masters. His coaching contributions to the Azerbaijan Youth Chess Team have led to historic achievements, including over 55 medals in European and World Youth Championships. He specializes in attack, defense, and endgame mastery, psychological preparation by building motivation and discipline, personalized opening repertoire development, and strategic decision-making skills.
Sarhan Guliev
A seasoned chess trainer and competitor, he has been shaping champions for over 30 years. A FIDE Senior Trainer since 2011, he has coached top players and national teams, including Turkey and Iran. A former Azerbaijan Champion and Olympiad participant, he brings deep classical knowledge, expertise in openings, tactics, and endgames, along with an accomplished career as an author of renowned chess books.
Logman Guliev
An International Master since 1996 and a winner and prize-winner of multiple international tournaments, including 1st place in Kaluga (1997), shared 1st-5th place in Montcada Open (2007), shared 1st-3rd place in Urmia Open (2015), and 2nd place in Hamadan Open (2011). He has competed successfully in Russia, Iran, Germany, France, and Spain. With 30 years of coaching experience and a FIDE Trainer title since 2009, he has mentored top players like GM Rashad Babaev, IM Orkhan Abdulov, and WGM Abdulla Khayala. Co-author of the book Test Your Chess Skills: Practical Decisions in Critical Moments, he specializes in opening preparation, dynamic play, tactics, attacking the king, and endgames.
Ilgar Bajarani
A FIDE Senior Trainer with over three decades of coaching experience. He has trained multiple Azerbaijani champions, including Grandmasters Eltaj Safarli, Rufat Bagirov, Namig Guliyev, and his son, GM Ulvi Bajarani. A former Chess Olympiad participant, he has also authored several acclaimed chess books. His coaching approach is personalized and results-driven, helping students turn weaknesses into strengths.