Maxim Viktorovich Matlakov is a Russian chess grandmaster, currently ranked in the top 50 worldwide. He was awarded the grandmaster title by FIDE in 2011. During his successful career, he has won numerous competitions, including the 2012 Russian Higher League, the Chigorin Memorial in 2012 and 2016, and the European Individual Chess Championship in 2017.
Born on March 5, 1991, in Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, Matlakov started his professional career in the chess circuit at a young age. He was a consistent performer at the Youth Chess Championships representing his country.
His first notable win was in 2009 when he finished first at the World University Chess Championship. After this, he consistently performed at numerous prestigious competitions, securing his rank as a top-level chess player. His most significant win was in 2017 when he won the European Individual Championship.
Matlakov is also an established team player and has been part of several successful Russian teams, contributing to victories at the World Team Chess Championship and the European Team Chess Championship.