Maxime Vachier-Lagrave discussed his philosophy on competition in chess during an interview on the Irreplaceable with Devi Sahny YouTube channel. He rejected the idea that dominating opponents should be a player's primary objective, even while acknowledging the desire to reach the top.

The French grandmaster emphasized that competitors learn from each other and eventually adopt successful methods first discovered by others. This constant evolution means players must continually develop new approaches to stay ahead. Rather than viewing rivals as obstacles to crush, Vachier-Lagrave sees value in collaboration with competitors.

According to Vachier-Lagrave, working alongside opponents provides insights that no individual can generate alone. Understanding how other players think about chess, find inspiration, and develop ideas reveals different perspectives on the game. He suggested that examining competitors' processes and approaches ultimately improves one's own understanding and play.