Ralf Åkesson is a Swedish chess Grandmaster who was born on February 28, 1961. Åkesson received his International Master title in 1985 and became a Grandmaster in 1995. He has represented Sweden in several Chess Olympiads, with his first participation taking place in 1980. Ralf Åkesson won the Swedish Chess Championship four times: in 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1998.

Apart from his active playing career, Åkesson has also worked as a chess coach and has written several books on chess openings and tactics.