 Born in San José, Costa Rica, Ramírez started playing chess at the age of four after watching the movie "Searching for Bobby Fischer" and was taught the game by his father, Jorge Ramírez.In 1998 Ramírez won the Under 10 division of the Pan American Youth Chess Festival, held in Florianopolis, Brazil and this achievement earned him the title of FIDE Master.He was awarded the title of International Master at the age of 13 by scoring 6½ points in the sub-zonal tournament held in Managua, Nicaragua in November 2001.