MVL

Maxime was born on October the 21st in Nogent-sur-Marne, in the suburb of Paris. Four years later, he receives a chessboard as a Christmas gift, stimulating his vocation. Very soon, chess is turning into a passion.

First in a series of four titles in the youth French championship, starting with an U8 title in Montluçon in 1997, and ending in 2004 in Reims with the U20 title, won when he was 13.

Soccer fan, 9-year-old Maxime becomes a die-hard fan of Olympique Lyonnais, a team about to dominate french football for many years to come

Maxime is not yet 13 when he becomes vice-champion U14 in Kallithea (Greece). It’s the first important result in a long string at international level.

The year when Roger Federer consolidates his grip on the tennis world, with 3 Grand Slam titles, and is number one at the ATP ranking. « Roger » becomes the sportsman role model for the teenager that is Maxime.

Ranked 2nd in the Evry Open, Maxime achieves his 3rd International Grandmaster norm, earning him the title. On this occasion, Maxime becomes one of the youngest IGM ever.

In June, Maxime obtains the Baccalauréat S (Mathematics and Science A-levels). A few weeks later, he becomes French Chess Champion, defeating Vladislav Tkachiev 3-1 in tie-break. He’ll go on to win the 2012 and 2014 editions.

21 years after Joel Lautier’s win in Australia, Maxime brings back the U20 title in France after his win in the World championship played in Puerto Mardyn (Argentina).

At the start of the summer following his obtaining mathematics bachelor degree, Maxime decides to become a professional player. In December, he wins the European blitz championship in Warsaw, a feat he will accomplish again at the same location in 2012.

First appearance in the legendary Tata Steel tournament in Wijk aan zee (Netherland), ending with a promising 5th place. He draws against Magnus Carlsen, the World number one.

After winning against the strong IGM Dominguez, Gelfand and Caruana, Maxime pulls himself up to the semi-final and loses in tie-break to Vladimir Kramnik who would go on to win the event.

Maxime is 24 years old. He leaves the eastern parisian suburbs where he grew up and moves to the center of Paris. In October in Berlin, he shows his worth in rapid games: he leads right up to the end, when Alexander Grischuk snaps the title.

Following his wins in the legendary tournaments of Dortmund in June and Biel in July, Maxime is ranked #2 in the world. He’ll keep this ranking from August to October 2016.

Following a remarkable run, Maxime ends up in second place of the professional circuit, behind world champion Magnus Carlsen. He gets his first victory in an absolute top tournament, the prestigious Sinquefield Cup in Saint-Louis (Usa), scoring in the process a nice win with black against Carlsen.

After winning the rapid and blitz tournament in Paris, and finishing 2nd both in Saint Louis and Abidjan, Maxime is World #1 in the blitz rating and the rapid rating. He finished 3rd in the World Cup and 2nd in the Grand Chess Tour Final, after winning against world champion Magnus Carlsen in the semi-final.

The year 2020 will be remembered for the worldwide coronavirus pandemic that put chess competitions on hold. Stopped in the middle at the end of March, the Candidates Tournament will have resumed and qualified the Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi for the world championship match only in April 2021. On the occasion of this unique suspension in the annals of the discipline, Maxime will have had the privilege to be the leader of the tournament for thirteen long months.

A good second place won at the Candidates’ Tournament certainly did not prevent Maxime from feeling the bitterness of having come so close to a World Championship match against Carlsen. The penultimate day of the year 2021 will certainly have put a smile on his face, thanks to the World Blitz title won in Warsaw – with style!