Coaches

Grandmaster Victor Bologan

Grandmaster Victor Bologan is one of Moldova’s greatest chess players and one of the world’s most respected chess trainers and authors. A Grandmaster since 1991, he has consistently competed at the highest international level, reaching a peak FIDE rating above 2700 and ranking among the World Top 20 players. His tournament victories include the prestigious Aeroflot Open and Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting, where he finished ahead of world elite players such as Vladimir Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand, and Peter Leko.

A long-standing leader of the Moldovan National Chess Team, Victor represented his country in 14 Chess Olympiads and has won more than 70 international tournaments throughout his career. Beyond his achievements as a player, he is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading chess educators, having authored 11 chess books and worked with players of all levels, from ambitious juniors to elite grandmasters.

Since 2018, Victor has served as the Executive Director of FIDE, contributing to the global development of chess. He holds a PhD in Sports Science with research focused on the training methodology of elite chess players.

Grandmaster Vladimir Hamitevici

Grandmaster Vladimir Hamitevici is one of Moldova’s leading chess players, a two-time National Champion and a long-standing member of the Moldova National Chess Team. He has represented Moldova at numerous Chess Olympiads and international team events, contributing to some of the country’s strongest performances on the world stage.

With decades of competitive experience, Vladimir is passionate about sharing his knowledge through coaching and mentorship. Vladimir speaks fluently English, Romanian, and Russian.

Woman Grandmaster Andreea Navrotescu

Woman Grandmaster Andreea Navrotescu is a member of the France Women’s National Chess Team and one of France’s leading female players. A six-time French Youth Champion, she has represented France at numerous international competitions, including several Chess Olympiads and European Team Championships. She competes regularly in top European leagues and international tournaments, bringing extensive experience at both individual and team level.

Alongside her competitive career, Andreea is committed to promoting chess and inspiring the next generation of players, particularly women and girls in the game. Andreea speaks fluently French, Romanian, English, and Spanish.

Fide Master Konstantinos Markidis

Fide Master Konstantinos Markidis is one of Greece’s distinguished chess players and a former Greek Junior Champion (Under-20). A long-standing competitor in the Greek chess scene, he has represented several of the country’s leading chess clubs, winning four Greek Team Championships during his playing career. He has also participated in the Greek Men’s National Closed Championship and achieved notable results in international tournaments, including a second-place finish at the International Tournament of Nice and victory in the Greek University Chess Championship.

Beyond his competitive achievements, Konstantinos has dedicated more than two decades to chess education and player development. As an experienced coach and instructor, he has taught chess in numerous clubs across Northern Greece while also providing private coaching to students of all ages and levels.

Alongside his chess career, Konstantinos holds a degree in Mathematics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has worked extensively in education as a mathematics teacher and private tutor. Combining his analytical background with his deep understanding of chess, he is passionate about helping students improve both their chess skills and their strategic thinking. Konstantinos speaks fluently Greek, Russian, and English.

FIDE National Instructor Konstantinos Konstantinidis

FIDE National Instructor Konstantinos Konstantinidis is an experienced chess player and coach from Cyprus who has been involved in chess since the age of five. A former Greek Primary School Champion, he has competed for many years in the Greek A’ National Championship and is currently an active player and coach with the Famagusta Chess Club.

With more than twelve years of coaching experience, Konstantinos has worked with children of all ages, helping many young players achieve success in national competitions. He is also a member of the Cyprus National Chess Team and was part of the team that achieved a historic bronze medal at the European Small Nations Chess Championship 2025, marking Cyprus’s first-ever top-three finish in the competition.

Konstantinos holds a degree in Geology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and combines his competitive experience and passion for teaching to inspire and develop the next generation of chess players. Konstantinos speaks fluently Greek and English.