Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, universally known as MVL, is one of the most naturally gifted chess players of his generation. Born on October 21, 1990, in Nogent-sur-Marne, France, he earned the grandmaster title at age 14 and has remained a fixture in the world top 10 for over a decade. His peak classical rating of 2819, reached in August 2016, made him the seventh-highest rated player in chess history at the time.

MVL is best known for his extraordinary mastery of the Najdorf Sicilian, an opening he has played at the highest level with a depth and consistency that few can match. His preparation and understanding of the Najdorf have been so thorough that even the world's best players have struggled to find advantages against him in this system. Beyond the Najdorf, his repertoire is broad and well-tested, and he plays sharp, tactical chess that makes his games compelling to watch.

His tournament record is stacked. He won the 2009 World Junior Championship, claimed the Sinquefield Cup in both 2017 and 2021, and won the 2021 World Blitz Championship. He has won the French Championship three times (2007, 2011, 2012) and dominated the Biel Grandmaster Tournament with four victories. In the 2020-2021 Candidates Tournament, he finished second, just half a point behind Ian Nepomniachtchi, the closest he has come to a World Championship match.

In February 2025, MVL signed with Team Vitality, one of the largest esports organizations in Europe, becoming their first chess player. He also runs an active YouTube channel, MVL Chess, where he teaches and analyzes games. Ranked No. 25 in the world as of April 2026 with a rating of 2717, MVL remains a dangerous opponent at any level and continues to compete in the strongest events on the calendar.