Today, Team Vitality is delighted to announce Chess Grandmaster, Maxime ‘MVL’ Vachier-Lagrave as the club’s new professional chess player. The signing will see the French native represent Team Vitality on international competitive stages, strengthening the club’s competitive portfolio as well as participating in wider community activations, bridging together the global esports and chess community.

The signing follows Team Vitality identifying the competitive chess landscape as an incredible opportunity, experiencing an unprecedented global boom with millions of players and fans engaging with the game like never before. In 2023 alone, the Chess.com app was downloaded 80 million times, contributing to an astonishing one billion games played each month. The game’s influence extends beyond the board, with chess content amassing six billion views on YouTube, proving its growing impact in both competitive play and digital culture.

MVL, TEAM VITALITY’S NEW CHESS STAR

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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, a two-times winner of the prestigious Sinquefield Cup, and champion at the World Blitz Championship in 2021. He also notably achieved 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.

For most of his career, MVL has been ranked among the top 10 players in the world by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and is widely recognised for his expertise in the Najdorf Sicilian and the Grünfeld Defense – two of the most complex and dynamic chess openings. Utilising his exceptional skills, analytical thinking and passion for chess, the signing will look to strengthen Team Vitality’s competitive portfolio while inspiring the next generation of chess players and fans alike.

Currently ranked World #7 in Rapid chess, MVL will be representing Team Vitality in the first leg of the 2025 Champions Chess Tour, the Chessable Masters and following the news that chess has officially joined the roster of games for the second iteration of the EWC, is hoping to compete on behalf of the club on stage in Saudi Arabia later this year.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to join Team Vitality for this new adventure in the world of esports! Competing for Team Vitality this year is an exciting challenge, and the two qualifying tournaments will be key milestones in my 2025 season for qualifying in the EWC. Seeing chess take its place alongside some of the biggest games in esports is incredible—it’s a fantastic opportunity to grow the game and inspire the next generation of players.” – Maxime ‘MVL’ Vachier-Lagrave” commented Maxime ‘MVL’ Vachier-Lagrave

CHESS TO BE REPRESENTED ON THE BIGGEST STAGE

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Chess is one of the world’s most popular strategy games, with an estimated 600 million people playing the game regularly, and is now set to be a part of the biggest esports tournament- the Esports World Cup. Online chess has evolved significantly and gained a huge following, with online chess platforms boasting hundreds of millions of members. Fueled by the rising popularity of chess streamers on Twitch and YouTube, the tabletop game has been transformed from a classic game to an undeniable global phenomenon loved by people of all ages and backgrounds.

Bringing chess to the 2025 EWC allows the game to be showcased on the biggest stage and drives innovation and growth within its already vibrant ecosystem. The chess format at the tournament will be played in a rapid 10+0 format, which perfectly suits MVL’s gameplay strategy. Rapid time control is one of the most balanced formats of chess, offering players enough time to showcase their strategic brilliance while maintaining a fast pace that keeps the games exciting to watch.

With MVL looking to represent Team Vitality during the chess tournament at the EWC, the club is also set to compete in several other titles throughout the event, including CS2, Rocket League, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

“We are thrilled to announce that Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has signed with Team Vitality and will be representing us at the Esports World Cup and beyond. As online chess continues to soar in popularity, we are proud to be part of this beloved game and honoured to team up with a French Grandmaster. Maxime is one of the best players in the world, and with his talent and determination, we do not doubt that together, we will bring home trophies. commented Danny Engels, Corporate Director of Global Operations at Team Vitality.

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