The first major open FIDE event of the year is on the horizon, with the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships set to take place in London from 10-16 June. The mixed-team format and fast time controls make this a thrilling highlight on the calendar for both players and spectators.
Registration is open, and the line-up already features teams composed of elite players from across the globe – ranging from Super GMs to rising stars. WR Chess, the 2023 Rapid and 2024 Blitz champions, lead the field by rating, now bolstered by the addition of Hikaru Nakamura, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Alireza Firouzja, along with the return of Wesley So.
“I always enjoy team events. There is a lot at stake, but it’s also an opportunity to bond with my teammates and to meet many fresh faces from all over the world, and it makes for great memories,” said Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of WR Chess. “Obviously, I’m also looking forward to fight for a World Champion title with my team WR Chess!”
Close behind is Al-Ain ACMG UAE, the 2024 Rapid champions, returning with an almost identical squad, including Daniil Dubov, Kateryna Lagno, and reigning Rapid World Champion Volodar Murzin, with only minor changes.
Other powerhouse teams include MGD1, led by Arjun Erigaisi and joined by fellow Olympiad gold medalists Pentala Harikrishna and Harika Dronavalli. “Thanks to the nice team atmosphere, in both editions MGD1 has won medals. We are looking forward to giving our best in London,” said Harikrishna.
Also competing is the Hexamind Superteam featuring chess legends Levon Aronian, Vladimir Kramnik, and Peter Svidler; and a dynamic generational mix led by Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, who is joined by young prodigies Ediz Gurel and Yagiz Erdogmus. The list of top-tier talent continues – and can be viewed in full on the official website.
While the chance to see so many Super GMs competing under one roof is a major attraction, one of the unique aspects of this event is its inclusivity. Each team must consist of 6 to 9 players and include at least one female player and one recreational player (never having FIDE rating above 2000). This creates an extraordinary opportunity for club players to compete alongside the world’s elite and brings lesser-known talents into the spotlight. A prime example is Pang Bo, the unrated star of Team China, who played alongside Ding Liren and Ju Wenjun and stunned the chess world with a breakout performance.
After all, this is the FIDE Year of Social Chess, and this event perfectly embodies the spirit of promoting chess as a unifying force. It promises to be a spectacle, and we warmly welcome you to London!
Tournament info
Format
The five days of chess will feature two exciting formats:
- Rapid Tournament: A 12-round Swiss system with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move.
- Blitz Tournament: Divided into two stages. In Stage 1, teams are placed into pools of similar strength and play a round-robin format. The top 16 teams advance to Stage 2, a knockout phase. The time control is 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move.
The total prize fund for the event is an impressive €500,000—€310,000 allocated to the Rapid Tournament and €190,000 to the Blitz Tournament.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of this unique chess celebration. We encourage you to register your team as soon as possible.
The full list of registered teams and all other relevant information can be found on the official website.