Axel Rombaldoni is an Italian chess player. Born on January 12, 1989, in Senigallia, Rombaldoni earned the title of International Chess Master (IM) in 2010, and in 2021 was awarded the Grandmaster title.
Rombaldoni achieved some notable victories in his early career. In 2012, he defeated super grandmaster Vassily Ivanchuk, and in 2013, he played a six-game match against retired world champion Anatoly Karpov. He won one game and drew five others, thereby achieving a 4–2 victory.
Rombaldoni became Italian champion in 2015 and has also represented Italy in the Chess Olympiad. Over the years, he has competed in many national and international tournaments, honing his chess skills and steadily improving his performance.
Rombaldoni is remembered for his 2013 meeting with Bobby Fischer's former challenger, English grandmaster Nigel Short, in Milan, which later resulted in collaboration on Rombaldoni's book, "The Rome Prophecy." The book is a mix of autobiography, tournament reports, interviews with chess personalities, and annotated games.
Rombaldoni's commitment to promoting chess led to the founding of the non-profit organization "Chess Projects ASD," which has organized several notable events such as the 1st HSE World Youth Chess Championship online in 2021.