Ulvi Bajarani

Grandmaster Ulvi Bajarani is the founder of Azeri Chess Academy, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to chess education. With over two decades in competitive chess, he achieved the Grandmaster title in 2013 and has since established himself as a distinguished coach, author, and competitor.

His chess journey began in 2000 under the guidance of his father, International Master Ilgar Bajarani, leading to early successes such as multiple Baku Championships (2004, 2005) and international medals, including bronze at the 2005 World Youth Championship (U10) and silver at the 2007 World Youth Championship (U12).

Ulvi’s career highlights include winning the Azerbaijan Championship in 2014 and representing his country in the 2016 Chess Olympiad. After moving to the United States, he became a key player for the UT Rio Grande Valley team, leading them to victory in the Texas Superfinals tournament in 2021.

Beyond competitive play, Ulvi has devoted himself to chess education. Since 2016, he has trained students of all levels, from elite Grandmasters like GM Nijat Abasov and GM Vasif Durarbayli to young talents such as Can Isik, who tied for 1st place in a city championship, and Nathan Sun, an interschool tournament winner in New Zealand.

An accomplished chess author, Ulvi has written and contributed to around 80 books, sharing his deep knowledge of openings, tactics, positional play, endgame strategies, and chess psychology. His coaching style is tailored to each student, ensuring a personalized and effective learning experience. Fluent in English, Russian, Azerbaijani, and Turkish, he makes chess accessible to a global audience.

At Azeri Chess Academy, GM Ulvi Bajarani combines his competitive experience, extensive coaching background, and literary contributions to shape the next generation of chess players. Whether guiding future champions or helping enthusiasts improve, his mission remains the same—to unlock every student’s full potential through expert mentorship and a passion for the game.