GM Rashad Babaev is the Founder and CEO of GMChessPrep. Rashad is a world- renowned chess player- a FIDE (World Chess Federation) Grandmaster and trainer who works fulltime as a chess coach and mentor. He earned numerous international tournament victories and maintains a FIDA rating of 2525. Rashad is one of only 115 grandmasters residing in the United States.
Rashad is from Azerbaijan, a country known for its strong chess tradition. He was introduced to the game at a young age by his father and was quickly recognized for his talent in chess. Rashad was mentored by the legendary Oleg Privorotsky who was also coached World Champion Garry Kasparov. By age 18, Rashad was coaching the Azerbaijani national chess team comprised of many players decades older than he. He completed all documentation for being a grandmaster by age 23. Rashad came to the United States in 2009 where he has dedicated his career to helping develop young talent- first in New York, then in Utah, and finally settling in Washington DC. Radshad works as a full-time chess coach offering online and in-person instruction including one-on-one coaching, group classes, camps, and tournaments, some of which will be held at Compass beginning in 2025. Some of his students have gone on to earn chess titles and chess scholarships.