Marat Israilevich Makarov is a Russian chess grandmaster and former champion of Russia. He was born on November 23, 1963. Makarov won the Russian Chess Championship in 1986, when he was still an International Master. He earned the title of International Grandmaster in 1990. After this title, he had further successes in international tournaments. He won the Agzamov Memorial in Tashkent in 1988, the Kostroma tournament in 1989, and finished second in Ulan-Ude in 1990. He finished equal first in the strong Odessa tournament in 1999.
Makarov is also a renowned trainer who was the coach of the Russian women's team that won the 2010 Chess Olympiad. Coached by him, several female chess professionals have made significant achievements including Natalia Pogonina, Alexandra Kosteniuk, and Ekaterina Kovalevskaya. Makarov was awarded the title of FIDE Senior Trainer in 2005. He currently continues to play and coach, with his expertise especially noted in working with women chess players. He also works as a chess commentator for notable tournaments.