Koneru Humpy: From 10th seed to women’s World rapid chess champion

Koneru Humpy Wins Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship in New York

From a distance of 13,000 km, Koneru Humpy’s excitement was palpable as she clinched the women’s World rapid chess championship in New York on Sunday. Starting out as the 10th seed at the age of 37, Humpy’s victory was no ordinary success.

In an interview with Sportstar, Humpy expressed her joy at winning her second World Rapid title, emphasizing the significance of her achievement given the age gap between her and some of her opponents. “Some of my opponents were half my age here in New York,” she said. “So this title means quite a lot to me. I was seeded 10th and wasn’t considered among the favourites.”

Despite a disappointing start with a loss in the first round, Humpy remained focused on her goal of claiming the top spot. She attributed her success to her dedication to training, including playing numerous games online to improve her speed.

After a strong performance on the second day of the tournament, Humpy entered the final day as a joint leader and ultimately emerged as the clear first after defeating Indonesia’s Irene Sukandar in the last round. This victory comes after a heartbreaking loss in the tie-breaker last year, fueling Humpy’s determination to excel in the upcoming World Blitz Championship.

As she sets her sights on the next challenge, Humpy’s resilience and unwavering commitment to success serve as an inspiration to chess enthusiasts worldwide.