By the time Max was five years old his parents had taught him to play and soon he was able to beat them. Max attended school in Amsterdam where he excelled in mathematics, and he began to play chess at ever more advanced levels.
Ng oras Max ay limang taong gulang ang kanyang mga magulang ay nagtuturo siya sa play at sa lalong madaling panahon siya ay magagawang talunin ang mga ito. Max pumasok sa paaralan sa Amsterdam kung saan siya daig sa matematika, at siya ay nagsimulang play chess sa ever mas advanced na antas.