Team Vitality announces the arrival of International Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave – known as MVL – to the club. With this signing, the Frenchman will represent the club's colors on the biggest international competitive stages and will also participate in fan activations to bring the worlds of chess and esports closer together. This recruitment is part of Team Vitality's desire to strengthen all of its competitive rosters.
And the chess scene is undeniably a rapidly expanding global field. The game is experiencing unprecedented growth and captivates millions of players and fans around the world. In 2023 alone, the Chess.com app was downloaded 80 million times, contributing to an impressive billion games played every month. The game's influence now extends beyond the chessboard with more than six billion views of chess-related content on YouTube. This is a testament to its growing impact in both competition and digital culture.
MVL, TEAM VITALITY'S NEW CHESS STAR
Considered one of the best chess players in the world, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave joins Team Vitality as a five-time winner of the Biel Grandmaster Tournament, two-time winner of the prestigious Sinquefield Cup, and 2021 Blitz World Championship champion. He also earned the title of Grandmaster at the age of 14, making him one of the youngest Grandmasters in history at the time, before winning the junior world championship title in 2009.
Throughout his career, MVL has ranked among the top 10 players in the world according to the International Chess Federation (FIDE). He is known for his mastery of the Najdorf Sicilian and the Grünfeld Defense, two of the most complex and dynamic openings in chess. Thanks to his exceptional skills, analytical mind, and passion, Maxime joins the club with limitless ambition.
Currently ranked world No. 7 in rapid chess, MVL will represent Team Vitality at the first stage of the 2025 Champions Chess Tour, the Chessable Masters. As chess has officially joined the list of games selected for the second edition of the Esports World Cup (EWC), he also hopes to defend the club's colors at this key tournament for the organization.
“I am delighted to join Team Vitality for this new adventure in the world of esports! Defending the colors of this club is an exciting challenge. The next two qualifying tournaments will be key steps in my 2025 season to qualify for the EWC. Seeing chess join the ranks of the biggest esports games is incredible. It is a fantastic opportunity to develop chess and inspire the next generation of players.” – Maxime ‘MVL’ Vachier-Lagrave.
AT THE TOP AMONG THE BIGGEST ESPORTS EVENTS
With nearly 600 million regular players, chess is among the most popular strategy games in the world. The meteoric rise of online chess platforms, which bring together hundreds of millions of members, is a testament to the global enthusiasm for this ancient game. Driven by the growing popularity of specialized streamers on Twitch and YouTube, the board game has become a true cultural phenomenon, enjoyed by players of all ages and backgrounds.
And today, they are making their debut in one of the biggest international esports tournaments with the Esports World Cup. The inclusion of chess in the 2025 edition will allow the game to be highlighted and showcase the innovation and growth of its ecosystem. This key tournament for the club will be played in a 10+0 rapid format. It is a pace perfectly suited to the playing style of MVL, Team Vitality's new recruit. This format offers an ideal balance that allows players to demonstrate all their strategic finesse while maintaining a fast pace that guarantees captivating entertainment.
“ We are delighted to announce the signing of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave with Team Vitality. As online chess experiences unprecedented growth, we are proud to join this competitive adventure with him and honored to partner with a French Grandmaster. Maxime is one of the best players in the world, and with his talent and determination, we have no doubt that together we will win new trophies. ” – Danny Engels, Corporate Director of Global Operations at Team Vitality.