Latest news with #TeamMGD1
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
With Arjun Erigaisi as their star player and a strong Indian presence, Team MGD1 wins FIDE World Rapid Team Championship 2025
Team MGD1, with Indian Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi as their star player and N Srinath as the non-playing captain, won the FIDE World Rapid Team Championship 2025 in London on Saturday. A Pune-based chess management firm, Team MGD1 became the first Indian team to achieve this feat in the tournament's brief three-year history. Team MGD1 also featured the most Indian players in their squad. Alongside Erigaisi and Srinath, the team included Harikrishna Pentala, Pranav V, Leon Luke Mendonca, Atharvaa Tayade, and Hariharan Raghavan. Spanish GM David Anton Guijarro and Greek IM Stavroula Tsolakidou completed the roster as overseas players. In the 12-round Swiss-format tournament with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment from move one, Team MGD1 won 10 of 12 rounds, with one loss and one draw, finishing with 21 points. They closely edged out Hexamind Chess Team, which finished with 20 points and featured two Indian players — Vidit Gujrathi and Divya Deshmukh. The title was secured in a close final round against Malcolm's Mates, with crucial wins from Erigaisi, Pranav, and Tayade. Five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand's Freedom team took third place with 17 match points. Another Indian participant, Nihal Sarin, represented Ashdod Elit Chess Club alongside strong players like Pavel Eljanov and Benjamin Gledura. Anand hailed the format of the event. 'What is commendable is that so many teams composed of fans and club players chose to participate, giving it a slight festival feel,' the five-time World Champion and India's greatest ever chess player told The Indian Express from London. With this victory in the tournament's third edition, Team MGD1 matched the title wins of inaugural champions WR Chess and 2024 winners Al-Ain ACMG UAE. WR Chess Team were the top seeds with big names like Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Hou Yifan, but they finished fifth. The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2025 is an event open to any team around the globe that meets the official requirements. According to FIDE, the teams can be made of club members, members of different federations or any other chess players. This structure has been designed to ensure an inclusive, level playing field where each team must have at least six and no more than nine players. The teams also have to include at least one female player and one recreational player who is defined as 'one who never achieved FIDE Standard, Rapid or Blitz Rating of 2000 (or an equivalent national rating, as determined by FIDE's Global Strategy Commission) Elo points (or unrated) up to and including the March 2025 rating lists.' Over 110 GMs competed across 52 teams in the rapid event. Some teams — like Noval Group Kyrgyzstan, Oxbridge, and Berlin Lasker Legends — had no grandmasters. Others, such as The London Legends and Rey Ahogado, featured no titled players. 'It's a very attractive format with all the expected excitement, and I believe this event will grow in strength in coming years,' Anand added. For FIDE, the international chess body, the event holds great significance. President Arkady Dvorkovich stated: 'This pivotal event distinguishes itself as the largest team tournament featuring both professional and non-professional players. The immense value of events like the WRB Teams lies in providing unique opportunities for recreational players and new chess talents to play alongside — and directly against — stars in genuine tournament settings. We're already seeing significant interest from potential hosts for next year's edition, and we're optimistic about this event's future and similar competitions globally.' Srinath, after the win, said: 'I'm absolutely elated. This is definitely one of the most special wins of my career. It's a fun event that has already fit into the cycle by its third year. While more relaxed than classical events, it remains intense nevertheless.' The total prize fund is €500,000, with €310,000 allocated to the rapid event and €190,000 to the blitz event.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
History made! Arjun Erigaisi, Srinath Narayanan's Team MGD1 becomes first Indian team to win FIDE World Rapid Team Championship
Team MGD1 made history by becoming the first Indian team to win the FIDE World Rapid Team Championships in London on Friday, securing 10 wins in 12 rounds over three days. The sixth-seeded team emerged victorious after an intense battle with Team Hexamind in the prestigious tournament, which featured 104 grandmasters including 5 from the world's top 10, competing for a record prize purse of €500,000. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. Team MGD1, who had previously won silver and bronze medals in past editions, started strong with an undefeated record on day one. However, they faced setbacks with a draw against Team Freedom and a loss to Team Hexamind, requiring exceptional performance on the final day. The team responded by winning all four rounds on the last day. Team MGD1 consisted of GMs Arjun Erigaisi, Tsolakidou Stovroula, Pentala Harikrishna, Leon Mendonca, David Anton Guijarro, Pranav, Atharva Tayade, and team captain Srinath Narayanan. "This is very special! With the Indian team in the Olympiad we were the favourites to win and out here with Team MGD1 we were the underdogs. And yet we won Gold again!" said Team Captain, GM Srinath Narayanan. Team MGD1 finished with 21 points, one point ahead of Team Hexamind, while Team Freedom, featuring Viswanathan Anand, secured third place with 17 points. World number 3 Arjun Erigaisi led the team's final day charge, scoring 3.5 points out of 4 after a difficult second day where he managed only half a point. He defeated GM Richard Rapport, drew against GM Nihal Sarin, and won against GMs Jose Martinez and Luke McShane. "Team MGD1 is all about Team Spirit. I was having a bad day on day 2 and others stepped up to keep the momentum going. Also Atharvaa's performance was out of this world!" Arjun stated. IITian Atharvaa Tayade, competing on the Recreational Board, won 11 of 12 games and helped secure a 3:3 draw against Team Freedom when other boards split points and Arjun lost to Anand. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Pranav maintained perfect form on the final day, winning all four games including a victory over GM Ivan Saric, finishing with 7.5/8 points overall. "I am really happy! With this team it's mainly about a great culture! Even though I'm an amateur player they didn't make me feel like one. Also my entire college was rooting for me that was very special. I have to go back and get back my attendance!" said Atharvaa Tayade, who is pursuing his management degree from IIM Kolkata. The teams will now compete in the Blitz competition, with Team MGD1 aiming to achieve a double victory.
News18
18 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
World Rapid And Blitz Team Championships: Arjun Erigaisi's Team MGD1 Claim Rapid Title
Last Updated: The Erigaisi-led side finished at the top of the table, ahead of second-placed Hexamind and Viswanathan Anand-led Freedom came in third. Team MGD1 clinched the Rapid event title at the World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships on Saturday as the Arjun Erigaisi-led side finished at the top of the table, ahead of second-placed Hexamind and Viswanathan Anand-led Freedom came in third. The team led by captain Srinath Narayanan comprised Tsolakidou Stovroula, Pentala Harikrishna, Leon Mendonca, David Anton Guijarro, Pranav and Atharva Tayade in addition to Erigaisi. MGD1, who had claimed the silver and bronze medals in the previous two editions of the event bettered their record to clinch the top podium spot with four wins on the last day of the Rapid event. 'This is very special! With the Indian team in the Olympiad we were the favourites to win and out here with Team MGD1 we were the underdogs. And yet we won gold again," skipper Srinath said following the triumph. 'Team MGD1 is all about Team Spirit. I was having a bad day on day 2 and others stepped up to keep the momentum going. Also Atharvaa's performance was out of this world," Erigaisi added. Despite commendable performances from across the spectrum, it was amateur player Atharvaa Tayade who shone the brightest with a nearly unblemished record at the team event that dictates contingents to include a sub-2000 ELO ranked male and female player each. Tayade remained unbeaten up until the final round in the Rapid section of the event in the United Kingdom to help his side script history with the victory as they became the first India team to clinch the coveted title in London. 'I am really happy! With this team it's mainly about a great culture! Even though I'm an amateur player they didn't make me feel like one," Tayade added. First Published: June 14, 2025, 10:00 IST
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First Post
20 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Lesser-known Indian chess players Atharvaa, Pranav help Erigaisi's Team MGD1 win World Rapid Team Championship 2025
It was double joy for India as Viswanathan Anand's Freedom won the bronze medal besides Arjun Erigaisi's Team MGD1 clinching the 2025 World Rapid Teams title. read more Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi's Team MGD1 has won the 2025 World Rapid Teams title after a perfect four match wins on the final day in London. While Team MGD1 won gold, Levon Aronian's Hexamind clinched silver and legendary Viswanathan Anand's Freedom were bronze medal winner. The tournament favourites WR Chess missed out on a medal after Alireza Firouzja lost to Nodirbek Abdusattorov on the last day. The Blitz starts from Saturday. Atharvaa, Pranav inspire Team MGD1 to World Rapid Team Championship title MGD1 and Hexamind were the co-leaders of the World Rapid Team Championship before the start of the final day. However, MGD1 won the gold medal after clinching their final match 3.5-2.5 against KazChess, while Hexamind were held to a 3-3 draw by bronze medal winner Freedom. For MGD1, Erigaisi won his match against Richard Rapport, Bengaluru's Pranav V defeated Aldiyar Ansat and Atharvaa P Tayade thumped Islam Aiten. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This crucial win allowed MGD1 to take the sole lead in the standings and they went onto win the World Rapid Team Championship 2025 by winning their next three matches. Besides Erigaisi, who is the second Indian to cross 2800 Elo rating after Anand, lesser-known Pranav and Atharvaa emerged as the biggest match-winners for MGD1 in the World Rapid Team Championship 2025. The 18-year-old GM Pranav, who scored 7.5/8 in total, won the gold medal on board five. Amateur chess player Atharvaa had a mind-boggling score of 11/12 and earned high praise from Erigaisi. 'Yes, clearly. I actually didn't know him, but funny thing is that back in the day, in a tournament in 2012, we played a game and he beat me there," Erigaisi told Take Take Take recalling a match against Atharvaa. 'And I did not remember about that game, but yes, it was a bit funny to do that. And, Srinath did a great job of finding him. And also, he's done IIT and he's doing IIM. So it's like, two of the toughest ones in education in India.'
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championship: Arjun Erigaisi and Team MGD1 win historic Rapid title
It was a landmark day for Indian chess as Team MGD1, led by Arjun Erigaisi, clinched the Rapid title at the third edition of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship, becoming the first Indian-sponsored team to achieve this feat in the event's history. MGD1 is not only a chess team but also a Pune-based chess management and investment firm that nurtures talent, organises tournaments, and fields Team MGD1 as its flagship venture. Distinct from other teams that feature one or two Indian players, MGD1's line-up is predominantly Indian, and includes Arjun Erigaisi, Pentala Harikrishna, Leon Luke Mendonca, Pranav V, and Atharvaa P. Tayade. In a tense final round against Malcolm's Mates, it was Erigaisi, Pranav, and Tayade who delivered crucial victories to secure the title after an intense day marked by a neck-and-neck contest with Hexamind Chess Team, featuring the likes of Levon Aronian, Vidit Gujrathi and Divya Deshmukh. Hexamind ultimately finished just one match point behind MGD1, while Viswanathan Anand's Freedom claimed third place with 17 match points. Day 1 highlights After four rounds of rapid chess on the opening day, Team MGD1 emerged as the sole leader, maintaining a flawless 4/4 match record. WR Chess, led by stars including Alireza Firouzja and Hikaru Nakamura, and Alexandra Kosteniuk, finished the day tied for second after drawing a fiercely contested match against Freedom, captained by Viswanathan Anand. ALSO READ | Gukesh reminds me of myself from 2008-2009, says Magnus Carlsen Notable absentees from this year's competition are Magnus Carlsen, who spearheaded WR Chess's triumph in the 2023 Blitz Team Championship, and Ian Nepomniachtchi, who couldn't attend due to passport trouble. Day 2 highlights The second day was a treat to all chess fans in India as Viswanathan Anand, showing flashes of his timeless brilliance, defeated Arjun Erigaisi in a pivotal Round 5 clash between Freedom and the dominant MGD1. This marked the first time MGD1 failed to win in this edition. But MGD1 swiftly regrouped in the next round, delivering a commanding performance against WR Chess. Meanwhile, Hexamind continued its rise in the standings, matching MGD1's tally of 13 match points after eight rounds. Close on its heels stood Freedom, Uzbekistan, and Germany & Friends, each poised within striking distance as the rapid stage approached its final day. In the end Team MGD1 held its nerve to seal the title and script history. About the event The third edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championship commenced in Hammersmith, London, on Wednesday and will run till June 15. This year's event features an extended five-day format featuring 55 teams: three days dedicated to rapid chess (a 12-round Swiss system) followed by two days of blitz. The tournament has drawn grandmasters, prodigies, and amateur enthusiasts from around the world, all vying for the €500,000 prize fund, with €310,000 allocated to the rapid section and €190,000 to the blitz. Each team consists of six players per match, with the requirement to field at least one female player and one recreational player (rated below 2000 FIDE).
