Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, known as MVL, is France's top grandmaster and one of the foremost experts on the Sicilian Najdorf, an opening he plays almost exclusively with black and has elevated to an art form. A World Blitz Champion, former World Junior Champion, and five-time Biel tournament winner with a peak rating of 2819, he is celebrated for his fearless attacking play and extraordinary depth of calculation.