2026 World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship: Chessnut in Hong Kong

In June 2026, Chessnut took the stage at the World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship for the first time — not as a sponsor, but as a competitor. Chessnut Nova, the brand's own team, went head‑to‑head with the world's strongest players at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Hong Kong.

The logic behind Chessnut Nova's lineup was clear from the start: we didn't go after the biggest names. We chose young players on the rise. Six players from five countries, young and unafraid. The team was coached by GM Swapnil Dhopade, with Inias handling team operations and Rachel Burak, a Chess.com correspondent, covering the event on site.

On day two, after a solid win in round one, Chessnut Nova faced its most dramatic matchup in round two: WR Chess. The roster featured Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and several other world‑class players, making them the tournament's top seed. Chessnut Nova didn't back down — and won. It was WR Chess's first loss of the event and one of the biggest upsets in the rapid section.

The schedule didn't get any easier. Round three brought Dragon Chilling (led by Ding Liren), round four was Chess United (with Viswanathan Anand), and round five was defending champion Team MGD1. They didn't win them all, but they were never broken. Chessnut Nova finished the rapid section in 18th place. Not a standout result on paper — but for a first‑time team, the experience was worth more than the ranking.

While the team competed, Chessnut also ran a booth at the venue, showcasing three products: Move, Evo, and Pro. The auto‑moving Move drew the most attention, with visitors from around the world — players, coaches, and industry professionals — coming in to try it firsthand. It was as much about gathering direct feedback as it was about brand exposure.

The Hong Kong championship sent a clear signal for Chessnut: we are more than a chessboard manufacturer. We are part of the chess world. The win over WR Chess, the battles against elite teams, and the connections made with players and partners — none of it is a one‑off. It's part of a longer commitment.

Thank you to everyone who supported Chessnut Nova.

See you at the next one.

For business inquiries, please contact: stella.zhuang@chessnutech.com

Chessnut Team