It was a monumental moment for Indian chess as Team MGD1, captained by Arjun Erigaisi, captured the Rapid title at the 3rd FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship—becoming the first-ever Indian-sponsored team to do so in the tournament’s history.
Who Are Team MGD1?
Team MGD1 is more than just a chess team—it’s the flagship venture of MGD1, a Pune-based chess management and investment firm that actively supports budding talent, hosts tournaments, and promotes the sport in India. Unlike most international teams that feature a mix of nationalities, MGD1’s squad is almost entirely Indian, including:
- Arjun Erigaisi
- Pentala Harikrishna
- Leon Luke Mendonca
- Pranav V
- Atharvaa P. Tayade
A Final Round to Remember
Heading into the final round, the title race was tight, with Hexamind Chess Team—featuring Levon Aronian, Vidit Gujrathi, and Divya Deshmukh—breathing down MGD1’s neck.
But when it mattered most, Erigaisi, Pranav, and Tayade delivered clutch wins over Malcolm’s Mates, sealing the championship by a narrow margin. Hexamind ended just one match point behind, while Viswanathan Anand’s Freedom Team took third place with 17 match points.
Day 1 Recap: Perfect Start for MGD1
The tournament kicked off with 12 rounds of rapid chess using the Swiss system. MGD1 came out flying, winning all four of their matches on Day 1 to sit alone at the top.
WR Chess, featuring heavyweights like Alireza Firouzja, Hikaru Nakamura, and Alexandra Kosteniuk, had to settle for second place after a thrilling draw with Team Freedom.
Notable absentees this year included Magnus Carlsen, who led WR Chess to blitz glory in 2023, and Ian Nepomniachtchi, who couldn’t attend due to passport issues.
Day 2: Drama, Comebacks & Classic Anand
Day 2 brought high drama and a treat for Indian fans. In a headline clash, Viswanathan Anand showed he’s still got it, defeating Arjun Erigaisi in Round 5 to hand MGD1 their first setback of the tournament.
But the young team bounced back in style, dismantling WR Chess in the next round to stay in the hunt. Meanwhile, Hexamind quietly climbed the leaderboard, matching MGD1’s 13 match points by the end of Day 2. Team Freedom, Uzbekistan, and Germany & Friends weren’t far behind either.
The Final Push: MGD1 Holds Its Nerve
On the final day of the rapid segment, it all came down to who could stay cool under pressure. Team MGD1 held steady, pulling off a gritty final-round win to edge past Hexamind and etch their name in the history books.
About the Event
The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship is taking place in Hammersmith, London, running from June 12 to June 15. The five-day event features 55 teams and is divided into:
- 3 days of rapid chess (12 rounds)
- 2 days of blitz matches
The tournament showcases some of the brightest talents in global chess and offers an exciting blend of youth, experience, and national pride.
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