FIDE Rapid heats up in London - WR Chess and India’s Anand battle for supremacy

The 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships have kicked off in London with 54 teams and 116 grandmasters competing for a €500,000 prize fund. WR Chess, led by Jan Gustafsson, and India’s Freedom team featuring Viswanathan Anand are headlining a fiercely contested Rapid event at Novotel London West.Firstpost

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Firstpost
Updated 4h ago
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Sources: Firstpost
The 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships are underway in London from June 10 to 16, drawing 54 teams and 116 grandmasters to compete at Novotel London West in Hammersmith.

The event is split into two segments: the Rapid tournament from June 11-13, a 12-round Swiss format, and the Blitz tournament from June 14-15, featuring a round-robin pool followed by knockout stages.

WR Chess Team, the reigning champions of the 2023 Rapid and 2024 Blitz titles, are the favorites to win again. Led by GM Jan Gustafsson, the team boasts elite players including Alireza Firouzja, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Wesley So, and Jan-Krzysztof Duda.

India’s Freedom team, featuring five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, is a formidable contender. Other Indian grandmasters participating include GM Arjun Erigaisi, GM Nihal Sarin, GM Vidit Gujrathi, GM Pentala Harikrishna, GM Pranav Venkatesh, GM Leon Luke Mendonca, GM Srinath Narayanan, IM Divya Deshmukh, Atharvaa P Tayade, Sarbartho Mani, and Aryaman Ganguly.

The total prize fund is €500,000 (Rs 4 crore), with €310,000 (Rs 3 crore) allocated for the Rapid event and €190,000 (Rs 1.8 crore) for the Blitz event.

The championships promise intense battles as top global talent vies for supremacy in rapid and blitz chess formats.

“The competition is fierce with the world’s best grandmasters gathered in London,” said a tournament official.

The event highlights the growing prominence of team chess competitions on the international stage, with London hosting a star-studded lineup and high stakes.

Sources: Firstpost
The 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships ignite in London June 10-16, featuring 54 teams and 116 grandmasters. WR Chess, reigning Rapid and Blitz champions, face stiff competition from India’s Freedom team led by five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand. Prize fund totals €500,000.
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We are proud to defend our titles and face fierce competition from teams like India led by Anand.
GM Jan Gustafsson
WR Chess Team Captain
Firstpost
Key Facts
  • The 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships are scheduled in London from 10-16 June, featuring 54 teams and 116 Grandmasters including top players Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja.Firstpost
  • Prize fund totals €500,000 with €310,000 allocated for the Rapid event and €190,000 for the Blitz event.Firstpost
  • The tournament is hosted at Novotel London West, Hammersmith, with the Rapid event from 11-13 June as a 12-round Swiss format and the Blitz event from 14-15 June featuring round-robin pools followed by knockout stages.Firstpost
  • WR Chess Team, winners of the 2023 Rapid and 2024 Blitz titles, are the big favourites, led by GM Jan Gustafsson and featuring stars like Alireza Firouzja, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Wesley So, and Jan-Krzysztof Duda.Firstpost
  • India's contingent includes five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand playing for the Freedom team, along with top Indian GMs such as Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin, Vidit Gujrathi, Pentala Harikrishna, and others.Firstpost
  • The Rapid event is underway on 12 June 2025 at Novotel London West, Hammersmith, with intense competition among the top teams including WR Chess and India’s Freedom team.Firstpost
Key Stats at a Glance
Number of teams competing
54 teams
Firstpost
Number of grandmasters competing
116 grandmasters
Firstpost
Total prize fund
4500,000
Firstpost
Prize fund for Rapid event
4310,000
Firstpost
Prize fund for Blitz event
4190,000
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Number of rounds in Rapid event
12 rounds
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Years WR Chess won Rapid and Blitz titles
2023 and 2024
Firstpost
Number of times Viswanathan Anand is world champion
5 times
Firstpost
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