Lautier Joel (12.04.1973)

French Grandmaster (1990) born in Canada. French Champion in 2004. Champion of Paris in 2000. President of Association of Chess Professionals (ACP) 2001-05. World Junior Champion in 1988 at 15, still the youngest to have won that title to this day. World Champion U14 and French Champion U10 (2) and U12.

French best player between 1990 and 2004. Lautier has won more than 15 major international tournaments: Lyon (zonal) 1990, Polanica Zdroj 1991, Pamplona 1993, Ubeda 1997, Malmoe 1998, Harplinge 1998, Bad Zwesten 1999, Enghien 1999, Las Palmas Open 2000, Zonal 2000, Geller Memorial 2006. Joel has a unique positive score against G. Kasparov 5½-4½ in classical games.

Leading the French national team from 1990 until 2002, his major success in team event was the title of vice European champion in 2001. A member of the NAO team of Paris which won the European Club Team Championship in 2003 and 2004.

In 2006, Joel left professional chess and moved to Moscow to open his own business.

Peak rating: 2687 in 2002, he was fourteenth best world ranked player in 1995.