Exciting Start to the World Rapid Team Championship in London - The 2025 World Rapid & Blitz Team Championships kicked off in London with some surprising results. 16-year-old GM Ediz Gurel defeated GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, while 11-year-old IM Faustino Oro beat GM David Navara. Team MGD1, led by GM Arjun Erigaisi, currently leads the standings with a perfect score. The tournament resumes on Thursday, June 12.

World Rapid And Blitz Team Championship Returns For 3rd Edition

The FIDE World Rapid Team Championship, now in its third edition, is being held at the Novotel Hotel in Hammersmith, London. The event has expanded to five days, with the Blitz competition spanning two days. Teams from around the world are competing, with England having a strong presence. Notable players and teams are participating, making for an exciting tournament.

Notable Absences and Surprises

One notable absence this year is Magnus Carlsen, who led WR Chess to victory in the World Blitz Team Championship in 2024. The tournament format includes a 12-round Swiss system for the Rapid, where each player has 15 minutes for all moves. The Blitz competition, which features a pools and knockout format, will begin on Saturday.

Exciting Matches and Standings

After the first day of competition, Team MGD1 is leading the standings with a perfect score. WR Chess faced a tough challenge from Freedom, resulting in a 3-3 draw. Other teams like Malcolm's Mates and Hexamind Chess Team had intense matches, showcasing the competitive spirit of the tournament.

Young Prodigies Shine

Young talents like Faustino Oro and Ediz Gurel have been making waves in the tournament. Oro, at just 11 years old, bounced back from an early loss to secure impressive wins. Gurel, a rising star from Turkey, defeated Vachier-Lagrave in a thrilling game. The tournament is far from over, with more exciting matchups to come.

How to Follow the Action

The 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships are taking place in London, UK, with over 50 teams competing. The Rapid competition features a 12-round Swiss system with a time control of 15 minutes per player, while the Blitz will have a pools and knockout format. Stay tuned for more thrilling chess action!