Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik

GM Vladimir Kramnik learned chess in the small seaside Russian town of Tuapse. His father, an artist, taught him. Kramnik took to it immediately and by age 7 was a first category player. By age 10, he defeated his first grandmaster. As a tournament player he was usually the youngest competitor. Upon reviewing some of Vladimir’s games, Mikhail Botvinnik quickly admitted him to his prestigious school, where Garry Kasparov also taught. At 24, Kramnik assumed the title of World Champion by defeating Kasparov in the Braingames match in London.