Detailed panoramic shot of a handcrafted wooden wall-mounted chess board surface.

About Michał Fudalej

Michał Fudalej — FIDE Master, Engineer, Innovator, Chess Coach & Speaker

FIDE Master (FM), engineer with 18+ years of professional experience, patent author, coach and mentor. I connect engineering, innovation, and chess — from industry projects (automotive, pharma, furniture, mining, and ESA) to coaching clubs and players, public speaking, and Innovation Coaching at the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Education

Silesian University of Technology — Engineer’s degree (Mechanics & Design).
University of Economics in Katowice — Master’s degree (Mgr) (Management & Economics).

This blend of technical and business education helps me bridge engineering, entrepreneurship, coaching and management.

Engineering & Innovation

Machine and prototype design — engineering workbench — 18+ years of designing: from one-off prototypes to serial production.

For nearly two decades I ran a design office creating machines where none existed on the market. I delivered projects for automotive, pharma, furniture, and mining — and collaborated on projects for the European Space Agency (ESA). I am the author of several patents and patent applications.

Managed small, highly specialized teams (up to 25 engineers) as well as projects and companies.
Innovation Coach, Polish Academy of Sciences — helping teams shape, validate and implement fresh ideas.

Chess — Player, Coach & Manager

FIDE Master certificate — Michał Fudalej — **FIDE Master (FM)**

Title awarded in 2005.

Competitive background since junior years.

Active promoter of chess as functional art (ChessboArt).

Instructor and Chess Arbiter (Class II) certificate — Michał Fudalej — **Instructor License & Chess Arbiter (Class II)**

Coaching since university days: clubs and Polish Championship finalists.

Team captain of **Silesia** at the Polish Youth Olympics.

Ongoing work with **Polonia Wrocław** and **Hetman GKS Katowice**.

Key collaborations & recent projects

Superbet 2023 — simul against the elite (incl. Magnus Carlsen); I won my game.
Superbet 2024 — ChessboArt projects featured during the event.
Judit Polgar Foundation — collaborations in 2024, extended to 2025.
Chess Olympiad 2024 (Budapest) — ChessboArt presence.
Cracovia Festival — official partner 2024 and confirmed for 2025.
Film scenography — “In Check. The Last Game” (2023).

Press & Verified Profiles

Independent sources — click to verify

FIDE Master title — official FIDE profile.
European Individual Chess Championship 2026 (EICC) — official tournament coverage of ChessboArt's boards at EICC 2026, Katowice.
ChessBase India — "This man has created Demo Chess Boards that look like art pieces" (2026).
ChessBase India Interviews — interview on the WR Women's Chess Tour trophies (2026).
European ChessTV — interview on artistic magnetic chess (2023).
Przegląd Sportowy (Onet) — "Zagrałem z Magnusem Carlsenem..." (2023).
Szachy w Polsce — biographical profile.

Personal Life & Goals

Today, chess is not only my passion but also a significant part of my business. I love teaching and sharing knowledge, although my children chose their own passion — music. They play with me occasionally, especially while travelling. I enjoy recreational chess in parks, cafés and scenic, smaller tournaments. ChessboArt pieces I co-create have already reached all continents.

“My goal is to intertwine passion, experience, contacts and business even more strongly. Chess gathers wonderful people — full of passion, knowledge and kindness. I love being part of this community and warmly recommend it to everyone.”

Offer

Trainings, workshops, lectures, consulting — strategy, innovation, decision-making under pressure.
Chess entertainment — simultaneous exhibitions, classes and mini-tournaments.
Individual & group coaching — online or in person: personal growth, expertise and enjoyable time.
Broader cooperation — open to joint ventures and market development in Poland.