Humpy Koneru Withdraws from Women’s Candidates Tournament Amid Safety Concerns, Leaving Two Indian Players in Competition
Indian Chess Star Humpy Koneru Withdraws from Women’s Candidates Tournament Amid Safety Concerns
In a significant turn of events, Indian chess Grandmaster Humpy Koneru has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Women’s Candidates Tournament, citing safety concerns related to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. Her decision leaves two Indian players, Vaishali R and Divya Deshmukh, still in contention for the prestigious event, scheduled to take place from March 28 to April 16 in Cyprus.
Koneru, a seasoned player and former world champion, expressed her discomfort about competing under the current circumstances. “Over this past week, I had a lot of discussions on this subject with people I know,” she told Hindustan Times. “I was closely following all the updates around the war. I just didn’t find the idea of playing under such conditions comfortable, despite all the assurances. I felt I had to prioritize my well-being and safety.”
The Mediterranean island of Cyprus, while not directly involved in the conflict, has become a focal point of concern due to its geographical proximity and the presence of British military bases, one of which was attacked earlier this month. Following her announcement, entrepreneur Wadim Rosenstein suggested relocating the tournament to Germany, but no concrete plans materialized.
Koneru acknowledged the weight of her decision, especially given the significance of the Candidates Tournament, which determines challengers for the reigning world champions. “Had this been a regular open tournament, perhaps there would be others too who would have taken a similar call,” she noted. “But this just felt like the right decision. It was painful but necessary.”
FIDE, the international chess federation, has already extended an invitation to Ukrainian Grandmaster Anna Muzychuk to fill the vacancy left by Koneru, although she has yet to confirm her participation.
The chess community is abuzz with concern over the implications of holding such a major event amid instability. World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura voiced his apprehensions on social media, highlighting the troubling power outages in parts of Cyprus as a sign of the region’s volatility.
With her withdrawal, Koneru faces several weeks without tournaments before heading to Oslo for Norway Chess. Despite her absence from the Candidates, she remains a keen observer of the chess world, even naming Zhu Jiner as a potential favorite to win the tournament. “Even though I won’t be playing, I’ll be following the Candidates for sure. I’m a chess fan after all,” she remarked.
As the chess community grapples with these developments, the focus now shifts to the remaining competitors and the broader implications of hosting international events in uncertain times.