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Team MGD1 From India Wins 2025 FIDE World Rapid Team Championship
Team MGD1 from India is the new World Rapid Team Champion! They finished strong by winning all four matches on the final day of the 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championship in London. With 10 wins, 1 draw, and only 1 loss across 12 rounds, they took the crown with 21 match points.
A standout for MGD1 was amateur board player Atharvaa P Tayade, who was undefeated until the final round. His incredible run helped the team secure crucial victories throughout the event.
In the final round, Pranav V defeated GM Ivan Šarić of Malcolm’s Mates, securing the match—and the title—for MGD1.
Hexamind Takes Silver, Freedom Shares Bronze
Hexamind Chess Team put up a strong fight. They drew their first match of the final day but won the remaining three, ending just one point behind MGD1 with 20 match points.
Team Freedom, led by former World Champion Vishy Anand, had three draws on the final day but bounced back with a 4.5–1.5 win over Knight Dance to finish tied for third. They shared the podium with Uzbekistan and WR Chess, all ending with 17 match points.
WR Chess Slips in Final Round
WR Chess, one of the top-seeded teams, was close behind. They won rounds 9 to 11 but lost a dramatic final match to Uzbekistan. The key moment came when Alireza Firouzja blundered in a winning position against Nodirbek Abdusattorov, handing Uzbekistan the win.
A Closer Look at the Final Day
Round 9:
- MGD1 beat KazChess 3.5–2.5. Atharvaa P Tayade continued his winning streak.
- Hexamind drew with Freedom 3–3, with David Muradyan securing a win on the amateur board.
- WR Chess, Germany and Friends, and Uzbekistan all scored wins.
Round 10:
- MGD1 narrowly beat Ashdod Elit 3.5–2.5.
- Atharvaa again sealed the victory.Hexamind crushed Germany and Friends 4.5–1.5.
- WR Chess beat Team Hungary 5.5–0.5.
- Freedom drew with Uzbekistan.
Round 11:
- MGD1 defeated Team International Trading 4.5–1.5.
- Hexamind beat Barys.kz 3.5–2.5.WR Chess beat Germany and Friends 4–2.
- Freedom lost to Ashdod Elit.
- Malcolm’s Mates defeated KazChess 4–2.
- IM Zsoka Gaal made a remarkable threefold repetition draw on move 94!
Round 12 (Final Round):
- MGD1 beat Malcolm’s Mates 3.5–2.5. Key win by Pranav V.
- Hexamind beat Ashdod Elit 4.5–1.5.
- Freedom defeated Knight Dance 4.5–1.5.
- WR Chess lost a thriller to Uzbekistan 2.5–3.5 after Firouzja’s blunder.
- Atharvaa P Tayade finally lost in the last round, ending an amazing 11-game unbeaten streak.
Next Up: FIDE World Blitz Team Championship
The excitement doesn’t stop here!
On Saturday, June 14, the Blitz segment begins with faster time controls, more rounds, and a knockout stage. The games start at 2 PM.
Adding to the buzz, Ian Nepomniachtchi, two-time World Championship finalist, will join WR Chess for the blitz event.
About the Event
The 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships are being held in London from June 10 to 16.
This is the third edition of the event, featuring 52 teams from around the globe. Teams can be made up of any mix of players—clubs, federations, or friends.
The total prize pool is €500,000, with €310,000 for the Rapid section and €190,000 for Blitz.
Written by: Milan Dinic
Official Website: worldrapidblitzteams2025.fide.com
Photos: Rafal Oleksiewicz, FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
