The opening press conference for the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships 2026 took place on June 16 at The Pavilion, The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong, marking the official start of one of FIDE’s most dynamic and spectator-friendly competitions.
Held in Hong Kong for the first time, and making its inaugural appearance in East Asia, the fourth edition of the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships will take place from June 17-21 at Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The event brings together more than 40 teams and over 300 players from around the world, featuring elite grandmasters, top women players, rising stars and amateur participants competing side by side in a unique team format.
The press conference featured FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Hong Kong China Chess Federation President K.K. Chan, as well as three leading players: GM Levon Aronian, representing Hexamind; and GM Lei Tingjie, representing Dragon Chilling.
Opening the press conference, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich welcomed the media, players and organisers, underlining the significance of the championships, “Hong Kong isn’t just hosting a chess tournament. It is taking place on the global chess map, with the best players, rising stars and chess fans from all over the world coming together,” he said.
“We see this competition not only as a tournament, but as a festival of chess, where people and ideas come together and where we build a basis for a stronger and more connected chess community.”
The FIDE President also emphasised the rapid growth of the competition. What began in Düsseldorf with 36 teams has now developed into a major international event, with the World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships and the newly introduced FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup bringing together more than 800 players across the full programme. “This event is built for spectators. It is fast, team-based, international and easy to follow, and I invite everyone to come, enjoy, learn and connect,” added Dvorkovich.
K.K. Chan, President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, welcomed the international chess community to the city and described the event as an important moment for Hong Kong’s chess development. “Today is a statement: Hong Kong is open, ambitious, and ready to host the world,” said Chan. “This is a city that has always thrived on competition — in commerce, in culture, in ambition. Chess belongs here. And today, the very best players of this global game are here — in our city.”
Chan also stressed the inspirational value of hosting a world-class chess event for young players in Hong Kong, “When we were asked why Hong Kong should host a World Championship, our answer was simple: you do not wait until you have champions before you host a world event. You host a world event so your young players can see champions with their own eyes. That is how champions are made,” he said.
He further noted that the championship has been awarded “M” Mark status by the Major Sports Events Committee, a recognition of Hong Kong’s standing as a world-class host city.
Following the official remarks, the press conference continued with an interactive discussion featuring GM Levon Aronian and GM Lei Tingjie.
Asked about Hexamind’s expectations for this year’s event, Aronian said the addition of Alireza Firouzja had significantly strengthened the team’s chances of fighting for gold. He also pointed to the importance of having a second female player in the line-up, with Kateryna Lagno, a multiple-time world rapid and blitz champion, joining the team. Aronian noted that although Divya Deshmukh delivered an excellent performance in London last year, the demanding schedule fatigued her, making it necessary to bring in another female player.
Lei Tingjie spoke about Dragon Chilling’s all-Chinese line-up and the spirit of competing together as one team. In a light-hearted exchange, she was also asked about the origins of the team’s name. “Dragon Chilling” is a nod to the viral “Ding Chilling” moment from the 2024 FIDE World Championship Match, with Lei explaining that the name was chosen by the team captain GM Ni Hua, and that the “dragon” carries strong symbolic meaning in Chinese culture.
The conference concluded with questions from the media and a group photo session.
The FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Championships 2026 will run from June 17-21 at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, promising five days of fast-paced action, team drama and world-class chess in the heart of Hong Kong.
Written by Chalize Van Zyl
Photos: Michal Walusza
Official website: https://worldrapidblitzteams2026.fide.com/
