Rising Stars Shining at the WRB Team Championships in London
From June 10 to 16, London will host one of the most exciting chess events of the year — the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz (WRB) Team Championships.
Now in its third edition, the tournament has become bigger and better. This year, it includes a Blitz event, more prize money, and a record number of teams.
A Stage for All Levels
The event is open to teams of all skill levels, and both Rapid and Blitz formats are played. With 55 teams competing — many with top Grandmasters (GMs) — it’s one of the biggest chess gatherings ever held in London.
Young Talents Making Big Moves
Although there’s no rule requiring young players, many teams are choosing to include them. And these young stars are not just participating — they’re shaping the results.
Here are some rising chess stars to watch out for in London:
Shreyas Royal (Age 16) – England
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Team: Rookies
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Youngest British GM ever (earned the title at 15 years and 7 months)
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Competed in the 2023 FIDE Grand Swiss and 2024 British Championship
Deborah Quickpen (Age 13) – Nigeria
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Team: Mother Continent
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Started chess at age 3
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Youngest Nigerian national champion at age 11
Bodhana Sivanandan (Age 10) – England
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Team: e-therapeutics
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Started playing during lockdown
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Won European U-8 silver medals in rapid & blitz
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Youngest athlete selected for any English national team in 2024
Roman Shogdzhiev (Age 10) – Russia
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Team: Rookies
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Youngest ever International Master (IM) at 10 years, 3 months
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Beat five Grandmasters at age 8 during 2023 World Rapid & Blitz
Faustino Oro (Age 11) – Argentina
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Team: Turkish Airlines Sports Club
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Youngest player to reach 2300 classical rating
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Defeated Magnus Carlsen in a 2024 Bullet Brawl
Sofia Blokhin (Age 19) – Estonia
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Team: Olala Stars
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2024 World Rapid Champion (Girls U-18)
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Represented Estonia in two Olympiads
Zsóka Gaál (Age 18) – Hungary
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Team: Team Hungary
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Woman Grandmaster
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Former European Youth and Online World Youth Champion
Marc’Andria Maurizzi (Age 18) – France
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Team: Knight Dance
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Youngest French GM at 14
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Winner of 2025 Djerba Masters
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Shared first place in 2023 World Junior
Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş (Age 13) – Turkey
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Team: Generation XYZA
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Became a GM at 12 years, 10 months
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Youngest ever to cross 2600 Elo rating
Pranav Venkatesh (Age 18) – India
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Team: MGD1
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India’s 75th GM
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2025 World Junior Champion
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Two-time gold medalist in U-18 World Rapid & Blitz
Sarbartho Mani (Age 9) – India
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Team: Freedom (alongside legend Viswanathan Anand)
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Arena FIDE Master
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Won Indian National U-7 with a perfect 9/9 score in 2023
Don’t Miss the Action!
🎟 Get your tickets here: tickets.fide.com
📺 Watch live with expert commentary by Daniel King and Jovanka Houska on the FIDE YouTube channel
🌐 Official Website: worldrapidblitzteams2025.fide.com
Photos: Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha, Mitar Djukanovic, Mikael Svensson, Biel International Chess Festival, Michal Walusza, Eesti Maleliit, Maria Emelianova, Lennart Ootes, islandkey.com, English Chess Federation, FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
