Rapport and Mamedyarov kept Kazchess perfect through day one of the World Rapid Team Championship in Hong Kong, winning all four matches. Dragon Chilling matched that pace with Ding Liren and Ju Wenjun on board, the only two teams unblemished after the opening round.
The favorites stumbled. Carlsen's WR Chess dropped a match in round two and never recovered. Firouzja's Hexamind was worse off, losing twice to fall well behind the leaders.
Artemiev and Sevian's Mr Birdie and Friends salvaged third place after the dust settled, but the gap between the perfect teams and everyone else was substantial. In rapid chess, momentum matters. Starting 4-0 means these rosters have rhythm, confidence, and the kind of psychological edge that compounds over a long tournament.
Rapport has always thrived in team formats where his creative chess finds freedom. Mamedyarov alongside him gives Kazchess a genuine threat on multiple boards. Dragon Chilling's lineup is similarly dangerous. Ding's consistency and Ju's precision form a formidable core.
The tournament has multiple rounds remaining, and perfect records tend to crack eventually. But after day one, Kazchess and Dragon Chilling have separated themselves decisively from the field.