David Howell

David Howell is one of the most recognizable figures in modern chess, equally respected as a strong grandmaster and as one of the best chess communicators working today. Born in Eastbourne in 1990, he became the second-youngest British person to earn the Grandmaster title, achieving it at just 16 years old.

Howell has won the British Championship three times (2009, 2013, and 2014) and reached a peak FIDE rating of 2712 in 2015. As of April 2026 he is rated 2665 and ranked in the world's top 50. He has competed in major tournaments across the world and regularly represents England at team events.

But it is his commentary and broadcasting work that has brought David Howell to the widest audience. He has become the go-to voice for premium chess events, combining deep grandmaster insight with a natural ability to explain complex positions to viewers of all levels. He co-presents BBC2's Chess Masters, has been a regular commentator on chess24 for events like the Candidates Tournament, and frequently appears at major FIDE broadcasts.

His column in The Times and his social media presence have made him a familiar name to chess fans well beyond the tournament circuit. Howell brings a warm, intelligent, and genuinely curious style to everything he does, and is widely considered the best chess commentator of his generation.