Imagine yourself in the exhilaration of engaging in chess matches with world-renowned grandmasters from across the world. Quite exciting, isn’t it? Delight in the fulfilment of your dreams as you can immerse yourself in thrilling chess battles, pitting your skills against them in The World Rapid Team Championship organised by FIDE.
Whatsup chess folks!! This is your guy Chessanian, brings you some info about the “ World Team Rapid Championship ” is is a prestigious new tournament co-hosted by FIDE and the German company WR Group. The inaugural edition will feature a 12-round Swiss tournament, held over three days with rapid time controls, and will be held in Düsseldorf from August 25 to August 28, 2023.
So what is holding you back ?! just grab your team and let the countdown begin….
Here are some of the rules set by FIDE for which each team should comprise of :-
Each team should have 6 - 9 candidates.
Should have at least one female candidate.
Must have at least one candidate who hasn't secured ELO 2000 rating in Rapid or Blitz format till date.
Each team comprises a captain.
Here are all the teams who had completed the registration till June 10 2023 12.00pm Lausanne time :-
Key Players
Jan-Krzysztof Duda
Jan-Krzysztof Duda also known as Jan Duda, having the highest rating in this tournament can play a table turning role for team WR Chess. He is known for his versatile and aggressive playing style. He is particularly skilled in both tactical and positional aspects of the game. Duda is comfortable in a wide range of openings, which makes it difficult for his opponents to prepare against him.
Wesley So
Another threat from the west is the 3 times US Champion Wesley So. Wesley So's gameplay is characterized by his deep understanding of positional principles and his ability to play patiently and accurately. He tends to avoid overly sharp and tactical positions, favoring positions that allow him to capitalize on small advantages over the course of the game.So's openings often reflect his desire for stable and harmonious pawn structures. He's known for playing openings like the Italian Game, the Queen's Gambit, and the Petrov Defense, which can lead to positions with solid pawn structures and balanced play.
Ian Nepomniachtchi
Their fellow team mate and the 2 times world chess championship runner-up Ian Nepomniachtchi also known as Nepo is known for his aggressive and tactical playing style. He often employs sharp and dynamic openings, seeking to create imbalanced positions where he can exploit his tactical prowess. His games are characterised by his willingness to take risks and engage in tactical complications.
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa
The young prodigy from India is known for his willingness to enter sharp and complicated positions, often seeking imbalances where he can create tactical opportunities. He has a strong opening repertoire and is well-prepared, which allows him to navigate the early stages of the game confidently. His deep understanding of tactics enables him to spot tactical shots and combinations that can catch opponents off guard.
The thing which makes him very deadly is he has defeated the current world no.1 Magnus Carlsen three times at a very young age.
Vishwanathan Anand
The former 5 times world champion will be seen playing from the team Freedom. He is known for his aggressive openings and finding complex formations making the opponent blunder on his own. Vishy is considered immortal with his knight and bishop combination. One of the most well-known combinations played by Viswanathan Anand is the "Immortal Game" he played against Artur Yusupov in 1987. In this game, Anand sacrificed his queen and went on to deliver a checkmate with his remaining pieces.
Vladimir Kramnik
The former 2 times world champion Kramnik will be playing from the Chess Prisoner’s side. Vladimir Kramnik's playing style is often described as "classical" and "universal." He excels in both tactical and positional aspects of chess, allowing him to adapt his approach based on the position. Kramnik is known for his solid openings, deep preparation, and a preference for closed and semi-closed positions. The most expected openings from his side are either the Roy-Lopez or the Berlin Defense.
Thoughts and Future with WR Group and FIDE
In addition to serving as the main sponsor for the upcoming 2023 and 2024 tournaments of a new event, WR Group Holding GmbH is set to establish a collaborative partnership with FIDE to organise this championship. The collaboration will involve jointly identifying and maximising commercial opportunities related to the event
Wadim Rosenstein, the CEO of WR Group, emphasised the core objective of the World Open Team Championship: to provide chess opportunities on a global platform, even to those who might not typically have access. He conveyed a message of progress, stating that by taking small steps, one can achieve the seemingly impossible. He also highlighted the inclusivity of their approach, stressing that anyone with a passion for chess, regardless of their gender or country, will find a chance to participate.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich expressed his enthusiasm for this new event, noting the widespread popularity of team and rapid chess competitions among players and fans alike. He pointed out that since the participating teams have their own sponsors and fan bases, the championship promises heightened engagement and holds considerable commercial appeal. The collaboration with WR Group is poised to bring this exciting event to fruition.
Emil Sutovsky, FIDE's CEO, highlighted the dynamic nature of both the chess world and the broader world at large. He stressed that FIDE's role extends beyond just keeping pace with these changes; it involves generating fresh concepts and formats. Sutovsky's anticipation for the event was palpable, given the distinctive combination of top-tier professionals and club-level players, which he believes will create a unique ambiance and provide a truly memorable experience for many.
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