Johan Hellsten is a Swedish chess player who was awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE in 2006. He was born on the 25th of December, 1975 in Malmo, Sweden and started playing chess at the relatively late age of thirteen. Despite his late start, Hellsten quickly rose through the ranks and won the Swedish Chess Championship in 1996.
In addition to his domestic success, Hellsten has also achieved considerable international success. He has represented Sweden in the Chess Olympiad several times, and his highest achievement was at the 36th Chess Olympiad where he won individual silver on the second board.
Hellsten moved to Cuenca, Ecuador in 2002 after marrying his wife, an Ecuadorean woman. In 2008, he completed a double-bachelor degree in Spanish and International Relations at the Cuenca University. He also became a licensed coach of the Swedish Chess Federation after studying chess education for two years.
On a personal note, Hellsten is a fitness enthusiast who believes in balancing mental and physical health. He enjoys running and has completed the New York City Marathon several times.
Through his accomplishments in the world of chess, both as a player and a coach, Johan Hellsten has left an indelible mark on the game.