Ivan Cheparinov

Ivan Cheparinov is a Bulgarian Grandmaster and FIDE Senior Trainer, born in 1986. With a peak rating of 2718 and a peak world ranking of #19, he has been one of the strongest players to emerge from Bulgaria. A four-time Bulgarian Champion (2004, 2005, 2012, 2018), his playing career includes victories at the Gibraltar Chess Festival 2014, the Ruy Lopez Masters in 2009 and 2010 (with a staggering 2904 performance rating), and the Sigeman & Co tournament in 2007.

Beyond his own competitive achievements, Cheparinov has built a reputation as one of the chess world's most effective coaches and seconds. He served as the main second to former FIDE World Champion Veselin Topalov for over seven years, starting at just 17 years old. He later worked with Alireza Firouzja during the 2022 Candidates Tournament, and currently coaches Zhu Jiner, the #1 seed at the 2026 FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament in Cyprus.

Together with his partner, former Women's World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova, Cheparinov co-founded Chess Lions, offering private lessons, group coaching, and online chess camps. He is also a prolific course creator, with content on Chessable, Killer Chess Training, and Modern Chess. He speaks English, Spanish, Russian, and Bulgarian.