Mikhail Kobalia is a noted Russian chess grandmaster who was born on May 3, 1978. He achieved the title of Grandmaster in 1996 and played diligently on both national and international platforms. In the national scenario, he won the Russian Cup in 1999 and the Russian Championship Superfinal in 2021.
Internationally, Kobalia displayed his skill in several major tournaments and championships. He bagged the silver medal in the World Youth Chess Championship under-16 category in 1994. In 1996, he won the World Junior Chess Championship and in 2005, the Aeroflot Open.
Apart from his competitive achievements, Kobalia has also given back to the chess community through his coaching efforts. He served as a trainer to famed young players such as Ian Nepomniachtchi and Wang Hao. He also serves as the vice director of the "Grandmaster’s School", founded and headed by former World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov, to promote young talented chess players.
Kobalia's style of play been praised by his colleagues and also received mention in several books and other resources related to chess strategy.
Kobalia has also contributed to team chess, having played for Russian teams in the World Team Chess Championship, European Team Chess Championship, and the Chess Olympiad.