India’s Team MGD1 Clinches Historic FIDE World Rapid Team Championship Title In London

In a landmark achievement for Indian chess, Team MGD1 secured the FIDE World Rapid Team Championship 2025 title in London, becoming the first Indian team to win the prestigious tournament. The Pune-based chess management firm triumphed in a fiercely contested event, edging out top international teams and reinforcing India’s growing dominance in the global chess arena.  

Victory Against The Odds  

- Team MGD1, led by Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi and non-playing captain N Srinath, entered the tournament as the sixth seed but defied expectations with a stellar performance.  

- The team won 10 out of 12 rounds in the Swiss-format tournament, finishing with 21 points—one ahead of the Hexamind Chess Team, which secured second place.  

- Their final-round victory against Malcolm’s Mates sealed the title, with crucial wins from Erigaisi, Pranav V, and Atharvaa Tayade.  

Squad Composition And Key Performances  

- The team featured a strong Indian lineup, including Grandmasters Harikrishna Pentala, Leon Luke Mendonca, and Pranav V, alongside emerging talents Atharvaa Tayade and Hariharan Raghavan.  

- Spanish GM David Anton Guijarro and Greek IM Stavroula Tsolakidou completed the roster as overseas players.  

- Erigaisi played a pivotal role, bouncing back from a challenging second day to score 3.5 points out of 4 on the final day, securing wins against top-ranked opponents.  

Tournament Highlights And Competitive Landscape  

- The championship featured 52 teams and over 110 grandmasters, including elite players such as Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, and Jan-Krzysztof Duda.  

- Five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand’s team, Freedom, finished third with 17 points, while Nihal Sarin represented Ashdod Elit Chess Club.  

- The event’s format allowed professional and amateur players to compete side by side, fostering inclusivity and expanding chess’s global reach.  

Looking Ahead  

- Team MGD1’s victory places India at the forefront of international rapid chess, setting the stage for future successes in upcoming global tournaments.  

- The team will now compete in the Blitz section of the championship, aiming to secure a double victory.  

Sources: MSN India, Indian Express, Sportstar, FIDE.